Million

Former Water District Employee Awarded $5 Million After Wrongful Termination Following Job-Related Injury

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EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. — A jury has awarded $5 million to Brian Kniffen, a former employee of the East Wenatchee Water District, after ruling he was wrongfully let go due to a job-related spinal injury. The verdict highlights serious concerns regarding compliance with state and federal disability discrimination laws. The jury concluded that the Water District failed to provide reasonable accommodations for Kniffen, who was employed as a utility field inspector for nearly three decades. His back injury occurred in 2020 when he attempted to open a stuck water main valve. Following his injury, Kniffen … Read more

Douglas County Jury Awards $5 Million to Whistleblower in Disability Discrimination Case Against East Wenatchee Water District

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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

Delaware Jury Awards $9 Million to Family of Hunter Exposed to Asbestos in DuPont Shotgun Shells

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WILMINGTON, Del. — A jury in Delaware has awarded $9 million to the family of an Illinois man who succumbed to mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, which the court said was a result of using asbestos-laden shotgun shells manufactured by DuPont Co. and its subsidiary. The significant award marks one of the largest in recent memory for similar cases in the state. The plaintiff, Eugene Schoepke, passed away on March 27, 2022, due to complications from mesothelioma. His attorney, Thomas C. Crumplar, expressed satisfaction with the jury’s decision, emphasizing the importance of raising … Read more

Justice for Firefighters: Federal Jury Awards $1 Million to Kentucky Duo Fired for Union Activism

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A federal grand jury recently awarded $1 million to two former firefighters in Kentucky who claimed they were wrongfully terminated for their efforts to form a union. Jamie Bottom and Derrick Steele, both of the Harrodsburg Fire Department, were fired in March 2023 shortly after being elected to leadership roles in the newly established union. The jury delivered its verdict on July 18, concluding that the firings were illegal. Steele, a captain, and Bottom, a lieutenant, had begun advocating for better working conditions, including complaints about low staffing, inadequate training, and financial … Read more