Former Fire Fighter Sues Cushman Wakefield Over 9/11

Termination

Date: October 15, 2002

Hero Fired After Sustaining Disability Following Terrorist Attack

A former New York City Firefighter working as a Fire Safety Director for

Cushman & Wakefield, Inc. in a building next to the World Trade Center on

September 11, 2001, filed suit in federal court last month against the real estate

company, charging it with firing him after he became temporarily disabled

following his heroic actions on 9/11.                                             

The Plaintiff in the lawsuit, Gerard Salamone, working on September 11th at the

now condemned Deutsche Bank facility at 130 Liberty Street adjacent to the

WTC’s South Tower, was seriously injured on 9/11 after the first jet plane

slammed into the North Tower building.  During the ensuing confusion and

terror, Mr. Salamone assumed control of the Fire Command Station in

preparation for the evacuation of all personnel.

As the first Tower fell, the impact propelled Mr. Salamone to the floor as a large

section of the WTC came crashing through the center of 130 Liberty at the 22nd

floor, where it proceeded to rend the concrete and steel beams straight down to

the eighth floor.  Mr. Salamone remained at the site throughout this harrowing

day, directing the evacuation effort and providing assistance and comfort to all

those in need. 

Mr. Salamone’s complaint alleges that he sustained two broken ribs in addition

to exacerbating his previously existing pulmonary and vascular medical

challenges, as well as severe emotional distress due to the death of hundreds of

his former colleagues, all supported by medical documentation.  Mr. Salamone

is alleging that his former employer was obligated to “accommodate” his injuries

by placing him at an alternative worksite.  Cushman & Wakefield ignored his

requests, directing Mr. Salamone to report back to 130 Liberty, where he was

ordered to wear a special protective “space suit” in addition to a mask.  When

his physician refused to allow Mr. Salamone to work under these conditions, he

was fired.

Mr. Salamone is seeking 2 million dollars in compensatory and punitive

damages.

Tuckner, Sipser, Weinstock & Sipser, LLP is a Plaintiff’s labor and employment

law firm in NYC.  For more information about the case, or to obtain a copy of

the state court complaint, contact Jack Tuckner or William Sipser at

212.766.9100 or jtuckner@womensrightsny.com or

wjsipser@womensrightsny.com.