A city resident, who was rejected as a firefighter because he has high blood pressure, has filed a $500,000 federal discrimination lawsuit against the city.
Antonio Dias, 30, claims that although the city’s own doctor said he can perform the duties of a firefighter as long as he takes medication for his high blood pressure the city’s personnel director refused to clear Dias.
“We believe it’s a very strong case for disability discrimination and the decision to withdraw my client’s job offer was based on unjustified fears of a medical condition which is fully controlled through medication,” said Dias’ lawyer, Gary Phelan, of Stratford.
City officials didn’t immediately return calls for comment.