Eugene firefighter settles lawsuit for $285,000

Monday, April 9, 2012

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- A firefighter who says she was discriminated against when she returned to work with a heart pacemaker has settled a lawsuit against the city of Eugene for $285,000.

Carolyn McCann says the city tried to force her to quit after an 18-month absence following an off-duty incident in 2007 when her heart stopped. She had been cleared by her cardiologist to return to work.

The Register-Guard reports (http://is.gd/JdO5aL ) $50,000 goes to McCann for emotional distress; the rest goes to attorney fees.

Fire Chief Randy Groves says McCann's back-to-work process was reasonable. He says the decision to settle was made by a city insurance carrier.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com