Roxbury, NJ Employment Attorney for First Responders Protects Society’s Protectors
Succasunna lawyer fights for the legal rights of New Jersey’s first line of defense
Overwhelming challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the September 11 attacks focus everyone’s attention on the heroic role first responders perform. The truth, though, is that paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, police and other emergency personnel play an essential role and provide outstanding service every day throughout the United States. These men and women deserve to have their rights as employees respected. Roxbury Township employment attorney Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. draws on more than 25 years of legal experience to assist first responders throughout northern New Jersey, just as they have supported the residents of their communities.
How New Jersey law protects professional first responders
Professional first responders may include police officers, firefighters, nurses, paramedics and EMTs, ambulance drivers, emergency managers and others. These dedicated workers face the same type of employment law issues as people in other fields, but the pressure and importance of these jobs intensify the need for appropriate working conditions. First responders often put in long hours in dangerous conditions, so you might have wage disputes involving, among other things:
- Overtime
- Travel time
- Sick leave
You might also face any number of other employment issues, such as:
- Status as exempt or non-exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act
- Union disputes
- Racial, gender and other types of discrimination
- Whistleblower protections
I will work compassionately with you while fighting vigorously for your unpaid wages and other rights as a first responder.
How New Jersey law protects volunteer first responders
Many New Jersey first responders are volunteers with other jobs. With certain limitations, all of these volunteers have certain protections guaranteed by state law. This includes firefighters, first aid and rescue workers, ambulance corps members and emergency management officials. They may not be terminated, dismissed or suspended for failing to report for work at their places of business because they are serving during a state of emergency or responding to an emergency alarm. Moreover, they can charge their time off as emergency responders as sick and vacation days. However, they must give their employers advance notice and proof of their emergency activities. If you fail to do that, you might be subject to termination. As a Roxbury, New Jersey employment attorney, I can advise you of your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer first responder and can represent you if you suffer an adverse job action.
Contact a board-certified civil trial attorney for your first responder employment issues
If you are a professional or volunteer first responder with an employment issue, you can trust Kevin T. Kutyla, Esq. to fight for your rights. For more than 25 years, I have delivered positive results for employees in Sussex and Morris counties. Call 862-354-8931 or contact me online to schedule an appointment. My office is conveniently located in Succasunna at 15 Commerce Boulevard, just off Route 10.