-
Massachusetts Civil Service Commission Overrules Bypass Of Female Applicant
The Massachusetts Civil Service Commission has granted the appeal of an applicant for the Brockton Fire Department, concluding that the city did not have proper grounds to bypass her last year. Yasmine Estrella was ranked fourth on the Brockton Fire Department’s hiring list established in 2021.
Read More » -
US DOL Announces Increases to White Collar Salary Test
The US Department of Labor has announced changes to the executive, administrative and professional employees exemption, and more specifically - increases to the minimum salary that must be paid to white collar employees to qualify under these exemptions. These changes have been expected, although the specific minimum salary and dates of implementation were subject to some speculation.
Read More » -
Fire Law Roundup for April 23, 2024
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 23, 2024, Curt reviews a $4.45 million settlement in an EMS restraint-related death in Sacramento; a race discrimination suit in New Jersey; the settlement of an overtime dispute between battalion chiefs and the city of Wilmington; a trademark suit involving FDNY; and a suit against an SCBA manufacturer arising out of the LODD of a St. Louis Firefighter. Sacramento Settles Restraint Death Suit for $4.45 Million Sacramento Settles Restraint Death Suit for $4.45 Million New Jersey Firefighter Alleges Race Discrimination and Retaliation New Jersey Firefighter Alleges Race Discrimination and Retaliation Wilmington…
Read More » -
New Hampshire Firefighter Claims He Was Sexually Harassed
A New Hampshire firefighter who resigned last December after enduring what he claims was years of sexually harassing comments and retaliation is now suing his former employer. Christopher R. Golomb filed suit against the City of Concord last month in Merrimack County Superior Court.
Read More » -
Sacramento Settles Restraint Death Suit for $4.45 Million
The City of Sacramento has agreed to settle a wrongful death suit with the family of a man who died while being restrained during an EMS response, for $4.45 million. Reginald “Reggie” Payne, 48, suffered a cardic arrest while being restrained by police, who responded at the request of firefighters.
Read More » -
New Jersey Firefighter Alleges Race Discrimination and Retaliation
A New Jersey firefighter is suing his department, the fire chief and a firefighter alleging violations of the state’s Conscientious Employee Protection Act due to race discrimination and retaliation. Michael Warren filed suit against the Hamilton Township, Fire Chief Christopher Tozzi and Ray Krajcsovics.
Read More » -
Wilmington Settles FLSA Overtime Suit with Battalion Chiefs for $459k
The City of Wilmington has agreed to settle an FLSA overtime suit brought last year by six current and former battalion chiefs for $459,695.36. The chiefs claim they were improperly classified as exempt executives.
Read More » -
FDNY Prevails in Trademark Case With Medic
The US Second Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down a ruling in favor of FDNY concluding that a trademark owned by an FDNY paramedic in the name of "Medical Special Operations Conference" cannot be enforce because it is descriptive.
Read More » -
Family of St. Louis Firefighter LODD Files Suit
The family of a St. Louis firefighter who died in 2022, has reportedly filed suit against the manufacturer of his SCBA alleging that the failure of his PASS device contributed to his death. Benjamin Polson died in a house fire on January 13, 2022.
Read More » -
Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024
In this episode of Fire Law Roundup for April 15, 2024, Brad and Curt discuss a pink collar theft case out of North Carolina; a $1.5 billion PFAS-related lawsuit filed in Virginia by firefighters with cancer; a due process ruling holding that a board member who testifies against an accused firefighter cannot thereafter return to the board to deliberate and adjudicate the discipline; a $5 million disability discrimination and constructive termination suit in Oregon; and a suit by a Rochester firefighter alleging the city did not do enough to protect her from domestic violence and sexual harassment. Virginia Firefighters Seek…
Read More » -
Virginia Firefighters Seek $1.5 Billion from PFAS Companies
Six Virginia firefighters and the estate of a deceased firefighter have filed suit against 25 companies associated with per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) seeking $1.5 Billion in damages. The named lead plaintiff in the action is Sara P. Chiaverotti, wife of Virginia Beach Fire Captain Matthew Chiaverotti who died from anaplastic thyroid cancer last year.
Read More » -
Rochester Firefighter Claims Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination
A Rochester firefighter who claims to have been the victim of domestic violence and sexual harassment at work, has filed suit against the City of Rochester. The firefighter, identified as Jane Doe, claims that the city failed to protect her from domestic violence as required by state law and city policy, and that she was sexually harassed by coworkers at work.
Read More » -
Kentucky Court Concludes Board Member Testifying and Voting Violates Due Process
A Kentucky court has concluded that a fire district board member who served as an adverse witness against an accused firefighter in a disciplinary proceeding, violated the firefighter’s due process by participating in deliberations and the adjudication decision.
Read More »