The Iowa Supreme Court has found in favor of a pregnant Clinton Firefighter – but also found in favor of the city in a ruling issued Thursday. ‘Read more’ for the details and a link to the ruling.
The initial case was filed by Karen McQuistion when she was denied light duty in the department while she was pregnant in 2011. The suit named the city, the at the time Fire Chief Mark Regenwether, City Attorney Jeff Farwell and City Administrator Jeff Horne.
After McQuistion was denied ‘light duty’ she was on leave for part of her pregnancy and for a period of time after the birth of her child. Part of that time was vacation and sick time and part was un-paid.
The District Court had ruled in favor of the city on all counts of discrimination in a summary judgment.
The case was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. In the ruling issued on Thursday the state’s High Court reversed the judgement on the pregnancy discrimination claim. That part of the case was sent back to District Court. The State Supreme Court did agree with the ruling to dismiss the claims of equal protection and due process.
The costs of the action are to be split equally among the parties.
