The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH — An arbitrator says Pittsburgh must reinstate a firefighter forced to take involuntary leave when he was diagnosed with epilepsy last year.
Monday’s decision is unrelated to a federal lawsuit filed last week by 51-year-old David Cerminara, a 27-year veteran.
Cerminara had a seizure in March, but says a doctor cleared his return to work with medication.
But the city has required Cerminara to be seizure free and off medicine for a year before he can return to work.
The arbitrator agreed with Cerminara who says that standard is used for new hires but isn’t supposed to apply to those already on the job.
The city has 30 days to appeal the arbitrator’s decision.