Douglas County Jury Awards $5 Million to Whistleblower in Disability Discrimination Case Against East Wenatchee Water District
EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. — A jury in Douglas County has awarded $5 million to Brian Kniffen, a dedicated employee of the East Wenatchee Water District, who claimed he was wrongfully dismissed after sustaining a work-related spinal injury. Kniffen worked for nearly 30 years as a utility field inspector. In 2020, Kniffen injured his back while trying to open a stuck water main valve. Following the incident, he sought workplace accommodations to manage his recovery, including restrictions on his ability to lift heavy objects and manually operate valves. These recommendations were backed by the Washington State … Read more