United States v. City of New York FDNY Employment Discrimination Case

In July 2009 and January 2010, the Court issued two rulings finding that the written exams used by the City of New York to hire FDNY firefighters were discriminatory and unlawful, including a finding of intentional discrimination. In March 2012, the Court ruled that the City may owe as much as $128 million in back pay to individuals who were subjected to the City's discriminatory practices. For more information about this lawsuit, please read our Overview of the Case.

Important Update!

If you are black or Hispanic and you took a written exam to become an FDNY firefighter between 1999 and 2006, you must mail your claim form by June 18, 2012 in order to be considered for individual relief. Please see our Claims Process page for copies of the notice and claim form documents and for more information.

Important: Update your contact information

If you are black or Hispanic and you took the FDNY entry-level firefighter written examination first administered in 1999 (Exam 7029), the FDNY entry-level firefighter written examination first administered in 2002 (Exam 2043), or both exams, please provide your updated contact information here to ensure that we have your most recent contact information. This will enable us to provide you with information regarding the claims process.

Go here for more information about providing your updated contact information.

Current Status & Important Dates

(see Case Timeline and Court Decisions page for more info)

June 18, 2012
Mailing deadline to submit a claim form in order to be considered for back pay and other job-related relief
May 4, 2012
The City mailed out notice and claim form documents to all black and Hispanic applicants who took the FDNY entry-level firefighter written exam
March 8, 2012
The Court issued an order finding the City owes up to $128 million in back pay damages for lost wages to individuals harmed by the City's discriminatory practices
December 9, 2011
The City filed a Notice of Appeal of the Court's December 8, 2011 Injunctive Relief Order and Appointment of a Court Monitor
December 8, 2011
The Court issued Partial Judgment and an Injunctive Relief Order
November 9, 2011
The Court appointed Marc S. Cohen to Serve as Court Monitor
August 2011
The Court held a bench trial regarding the Plaintiffs-Intervenors' claims for additional injunctive relief and non-economic damages