Lawsuits: Dispatcher Wins Award, Another Files

Dispatchers in two regions of the country have logged legal actions in federal district court related to their jobs, one receiving a $1 million award from a jury for false arrest, and another claiming racial discrimination and retaliation. Both cases point to activities by the plaintiffs dating back several years and are directed at the employing agencies and cities. Yesterday a U.S. District Court jury found for former Battle Creek (Mich.) dispatcher, agreeing that a now-deceased Calhoun County sheriff’s deputy had her falsely arrested. In 2005 Sonte Everson claimed she was sexually assaulted by her then-boyfriend, a Battle Creek police officer. When she complained to colleagues about the investigating deputy, her lawsuit alleged she was falsely arrested—twice—and held in jail. The charges were later dropped, but Everson’s lawsuit said she was suspended from work, humiliated in public and suffered emotionally. With the verdict, the jury awarded Everson $353,000 in lost wages, $75,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in legal fees. They also awarded her $600,000 in punitive damages, and for emotional injury, embarrassment and loss of reputation. In the second lawsuit, filed earlier this month, Arthur Kirk III alleges he was the subject of racial discrimination starting in 2008 while a Baltimore (Md.) fire dispatcher. He says he was required to undergo medical exams, was the subject of disciplinary actions, was repeatedly transferred and falsely accused of worklace violence. Kirk asks for back pay, vacation and other benefits, and for reinstatement. Download (pdf) select documents related to the Everson and Kirk lawsuits, and read more about the Everson case here, and the Kirk case here.