NEWS

Big settlement for Hamilton County woman fired for having diabetes

The settlement for $725,000 is possibly the largest awarded for such a case in Indiana.

Jill Disis
IndyStar
Kristine Rednour was fired from the Wayne Township Fire Department in 2011, she says, because of her diabetes. She settled a federal discrimination lawsuit with the department for more than $700,000.

A diabetic Hamilton County woman who lost her job as a Wayne Township Fire Department paramedic has settled a federal discrimination lawsuit with the township for $725,000, marking what is likely the largest amount awarded in Indiana under the Americans with Disabilities Act for someone with diabetes.

Kristine Rednour, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 12, brought legal action against the fire department after she was fired in 2011 because of "medical events" caused by her illness, according to her complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. In her suit, Rednour alleged the termination violated her civil rights under the ADA.

"On behalf of Ms. Rednour, (the settlement) couldn't have come at a happier time," said Kevin Betz, of the Indianapolis law firm Betz and Blevins, which represented Rednour.

"(It) was the result of many, many years of diligence and hard pursuit of a goal to prove a point, in the end, about the simple fact that individuals with disabilities — and particularly with diabetes — can work in emergency settings and should be allowed to work in emergency settings, and should not be prohibited from doing so."

The Wayne Township Fire Department released a statement Saturday saying the department "understands the jury has spoken, however, staff and administration of Wayne Township Fire Department make hiring and separation decisions based on the safety of our citizens."

"All considerations are made pursuant to the law," the statement read. "Disputes are unfortunate, but Wayne Township Fire Department maintains that it is here to serve and protect the public. Staff and administration make decisions based on our duties to the public."

The final settlement amount triples the total awarded to Rednour throughout her court battle with the fire department.

In late July, a jury decided that Rednour was entitled to $123,500 for lost wages and benefits and $100,000 for emotional distress. The verdict came down during the same week as the 25th anniversary of the federal ADA, which was intended to protect disabled people from discrimination at work, in schools and in other venues.

Paramedic fired for her diabetes wins disability discrimination suit

After that verdict, Rednour was still entitled to seek future lost wages or reinstatement to her Wayne Township job, along with attorneys' fees and other expenses. Rednour ultimately settled with the township for an additional $501,500. She now works as an emergency room paramedic at St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital.

When Rednour was hired as a reserve paramedic in February 2009, and as a full-time paramedic shortly after, the department knew she had Type 1 diabetes, according to the federal complaint. Her blood-sugar levels dropped twice while she was on the job, Betz told The Indianapolis Star earlier this year. She drank orange juice and Pepsi, and her levels returned to normal.

According to court records, she was told she could not return to work without approval from the agency's medical director after the second incident. And although a fire department medical examiner said she could return to work with limited duties — along with recommendations on how to accommodate her diabetes — court records say officials decided instead to keep her on paid leave.

Nearly two weeks after she was supposed to return to work, Rednour was fired. According to court records, a deputy chief told Rednour that he had done additional research and found that people with Type 1 diabetes should not be hired by the department. Rednour, the deputy chief told her, “must have fallen through the cracks."

At trial this summer, the defense argued Rednour failed to prove the department violated federal law by firing her because she did not request any kind of accommodation in the first place. Rednour testified that she did not need it.

Sandra Blevins, of Betz and Blevins, told The Star earlier this year that medical experts who testified during the trial said Rednour could have been allowed to wear a glucose monitor that would have alerted her and everyone around her when her blood sugar levels dropped. Such a device would have allowed Rednour to immediately address potential issues with blood sugar before she experienced any symptoms, like weakness or lack of coordination.

Betz said Saturday he believes the jury verdict and final settlement send an important message to diabetics working in Indiana.

"Hoosier jurors believe that individuals with disabilities, and individuals particularly with diabetes, should be permitted an even playing field to perform their job," Betz said.

"Not an advantage by any means — just a level playing field."

Star reporter Kristine Guerra contributed to this story.

Call Star reporter Jill Disis at (317) 444-6137. Follow her on Twitter: @jdisis.