A former Seattle firefighter recruit has filed suit against the City of Seattle, alleging the Seattle Fire Department forced him to resign after he suffered an injury during recruit training rather than allowing him to recover and return to the academy.

According to the complaint, Thidthirady Inthaphanya was hired by the Seattle Fire Department in February 2024 after completing what the lawsuit describes as a competitive application and testing process. He entered recruit school intending to build a career with the department.  

The suit was filed in King County Superior Court. Quoting from the complaint:

• Plaintiff suffered on-the-job injury on or around April 2, 2024, during recruit school.
• On or around April 9, 2024, Defendant met with Plaintiff and told him that he was being separated from employment due to his injury, and that he would be required to resign.
• Plaintiff asked Defendant if he would be allowed to enroll in the next recruit class and complete his training.
• Plaintiff was not allowed to enroll in the next class or afforded any other accommodation.
• With no other option available to him, Plaintiff agreed to resign.
• Defendant never consulted with Plaintiff about whether he could continue as an employee of Defendant with reasonable accommodations for his injury.
• Instead, Plaintiff was instructed to resign on account of his injury.
• Plaintiff did not voluntarily end his employment with the Seattle Department.
• Plaintiffs was terminated from his employment with the Seattle Fire Department.
• Plaintiff was never offered reemployment to the Seattle Fire Department.
• Plaintiff’s injury and disability status was a substantial factor in Defendant’s decision to end Plaintiff’s employment.
• Defendant never engaged in the interactive process with Plaintiff to determine if he could continue his employment with the City of Seattle with reasonable accommodations.
• Defendant never offered any reasonable accommodations to Plaintiff after his injury.
• Defendant provides accommodations to other injured employees who are not in recruit school, including but not limited to light duty and temporary placements in accommodated positions.
• Defendant had a policy, pattern, and practice of forcing employees injured during recruit school to involuntarily resign because of their on-the-job injuries.
• As a result of Defendant’s unlawful conduct, Plaintiff has suffered economic damages, including but not limited to past and future wage loss.

Based on those allegations, Inthaphanya asserts claims under the Washington Law Against Discrimination for disability discrimination, failure to engage in the interactive process, and failure to accommodate. He also alleges wrongful discharge in violation of public policy.  

The suit seeks damages for lost wages, emotional distress, attorney’s fees, and other relief.