Jury Awards $5 Million to Ex-Water District Employee Discriminated Against After On-the-Job Injury

EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. — A jury has awarded $5 million to Brian Kniffen, a former employee of the East Wenatchee Water District, following his termination after experiencing a job-related spinal injury. The jury found that the public utility unlawfully discriminated against Kniffen and failed to provide proper accommodations required under the law. The jury’s unanimous decision was based on four claims related to Kniffen’s treatment after his injury in 2019. His legal team argued that instead of offering necessary support to enable him to continue working, the Water District opted to terminate his employment to … Read more