Workplace Discrimination Lawsuit Filed Against Baltimore County

Three former Baltimore County employees have filed a lawsuit, alleging that they were illegally forced to leave their jobs. Two former fire fighters and a former police lieutenant filed suit in a Maryland federal court requesting $2.3 million in damages for alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits workplace discrimination based on medical conditions.  According to the plaintiffs, all over age 50, they were required to undergo medical examinations and forced to leave their jobs for medical reasons without any evidence that they were not fit to perform their job duties.

Plaintiff Stanley P. Kuklinski, 53, who served 25 years with the Fire Department, had heart bypass surgery in June 2007.  According to the suit, three months later he “was released by his cardiologist to return to work, full-duty, with no restrictions,”  but still forced to undergo additional medical examinations by Baltimore County.

These plaintiffs were also part of a suit brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Baltimore County for the same alleged violations of the ADA.   On August 7, 2012, Baltimore County agreed to pay $475,000 and adopt new policies and procedures regarding the administration of medical examinations and inquiries.  The plaintiffs’ attorney Kathleen Cahill, said that, “The county would not offer adequate compensation for damages for these folks to choose settlement over litigation.”

If you believe you are the victim of discrimination in the workplace, please contact Khorrami, LLP for a confidential consultation.