NMI Firefighters Vaccine Lawsuit Dismissed

A lawsuit filed by nine firefighters in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who were terminated for refusing the get a COVID19 vaccine, has been dismissed.  The dismissal was granted by Northern Mariana Islands Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho following entry of a stipulation by the parties.

Judge Camacho previously denied the firefighters’ motion for a preliminary injunction, concluding they failed to exhaust their administrative remedies, that an injunction could not be issued for purely economic harm, and that they failed to establish a strong likelihood they would prevail on the merits. That ruling earlier this month led to the stipulation that the suit would be dismissed without prejudice. The fact it was dismissed without prejudice will allow the firefighters to file suit again once the administrative options have been exhausted.

The firefighters filed the suit last June alleging the terminations violated the firefighters’ rights to privacy, due process, and equal protection. Here is more on the original filing.

Here is more on the dismissal of the lawsuit.