Class Action suit filed against FirstMed

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New details are emerging about fallout from the closure of Wilmington based First Med EMS.

Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed in federal court alleging the company violated the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, because it did not provide at least 60 days’ notice of termination.

“I thought it was a bad joke,” said former FirstMed employee Elaine Carriker. “When I walked in Friday night I thought something was funny and I kept asking questions and I was told to mind my own business.”

Attorney Jack Raisner, who filed the suit on behalf of former First Med employee Branden Engle, says the layoffs could not have come at a worse time.

“The losses to the employees are numerous,” said Jack Raisner. “It’s bad enough to lose your job, but to lose it without notice, you lose it at a time when you’re going to lose your ability to take care of your holiday obligations and your piece of mind is gone. Perhaps most perilously you are losing your health insurance at the same time.”

The suit seeks payouts to recover 60 days’ pay and bonuses, accrued holiday and vacation pay, pension and 401(k) contributions and unemployment benefits.

“All of the employees as far as we know have been terminated without notice over the last 3 or 4 days,” said Raisner. “That is in our view in violation of a statute that says employees in a mass layoff have to be given 60 days advanced written notice.”

If you are a former FirstMed employee and wish to become a part of the class action lawsuit you can contact the Outten & Golden Law Firm at (212)245-1000.