U.S. Department of Defense Overseas Contractor Litigation
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll and Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright are representing overseas contractors who were removed from their positions during or after April 2020, when the Department of Defense deemed those over the age of 65 unfit for duty because of the risk of COVID-19.
The complaint in this case alleges that U.S. Central Command discriminated on the bases of disability and age when it updated its fitness qualification standards for civilian personnel on overseas bases in April 2020. According to the updated standard, anyone over the age of 65 was no longer “Fit for Duty” because of the “direct threat presented by COVID-19.” The complaint alleges the updated standard violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Rehabilitation Act by automatically terminating anyone age 65 or older from their overseas assignment without conducting an individual inquiry into their health. The complaint seeks lost pay, money damages, and other relief on behalf of all civilian personnel who were removed pursuant to the updated qualification standard.
We are beginning to collect information about members of the class. Please complete the contact form.
FAQ
What is the status of this case?
The EEOC has ruled that the claims of all overseas contractors who were working in U.S. Central Command facilities, and who were removed from their positions due to their age and the presence of COVID, can be pursued together in a class action.
The EEOC has directed the DOD to collect the names of everyone who was removed from an overseas contractor position during or after April 2020 because they were age 65 or older and to notify everyone in this group that he/she is a member of the class.
The EEOC ruling also appointed the lawyers listed below as your legal representatives in this matter.
Please see the following rulings for more information:
What can I get from this case?
The claims brought on your behalf, if proved, will permit you to recover various forms of lost pay and money damages for the harm you suffered by being removed from your overseas contractor position.
When will I get something from this case?
Although we do not know exactly when this case will be decided or resolved, the next step is for the case to be heard in front of an EEOC administrative judge, and we are moving that process forward as quickly as possible. To monitor the status of this case, please complete the contact form so that you can receive email updates as the case progresses or periodically check this website.
Is there anything I must do?
If you were removed from an overseas contractor position by U.S. Central Command during or after April 2020 because you were age 65 or older, then you are automatically a member of this class. Although you do not need to take any action at this time to have your claim included in this class action, please complete the contact form to help us collect information about the class and move the litigation forward.
This matter is being litigated by Joseph M. Sellers (admitted in DC) and Alisa Tiwari (admitted in DC) of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, as well as Michael Kator (admitted in DC, MD, and TX), Jeremy D. Wright (admitted in DC and TX), and David Weiser (admitted in DC and TX) of Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright, PLLC.
The principal office of Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC is located at 1100 New York Ave. NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC 20005, phone number 202-408-4600.
The principal office of Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright PLLC is located at 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 705, Washington, DC 20036, phone number 202-898-4800. The Texas office of Kator, Parks, Weiser & Wright PLLC is located at 1609 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 201, Austin, TX 78701, phone number 512-322-0600.
If you have already retained a lawyer for this matter, please disregard this communication. Any statement does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
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