Carlin & Buchsbaum Recovers $1.17 Million for Former Pasadena Firefighter

January 3, 2008

In a well-publicized case across the southland, Carlin
& Buchsbaum recently recovered $1.17 million in a jury verdict on behalf of Carter Stephens in a wrongful termination suit against the City of Pasadena. Stephens, an African-American former firefighter whose complaints of racial discrimination and harassment were ignored for years, was forced into disability retirement after a knee injury. The attorneys at Carlin & Buchsbaum revealed that the claim that Stephens was “unfit for duty” completely lacked factual support and was only an attempt to justify the wrongful retirement. By focusing on the unfair retaliation to Stephens’ complaints as well as the ongoing discrimination, lead attorney Brent Buchsbaum emphasized the injustice of City and Fire officials against Mr. Stephens to win this major jury verdict. With their extensive employee rights litigation knowledge and experience, Carlin & Buchsbaum was able to deliver powerful results, giving Stephens a fresh start in his life.

See the following for more information on this landmark verdict won by Carlin & Buchsbaum:

Video Coverage:
View KCBS’ Coverage of the Case

LA Times, December 29, 2007:
Black Firefighter Awarded $1.17 Million (PDF)

Pasadena Star-News, December 29, 2007:
Firefighter Wins $1.17 Million (PDF)

CBS News, December 28, 2007:
Ex-Firefighter Awarded $1.17M in Forced Retirement (PDF)