Police Officers Overtime pay Settlement Approved by Federal Judge
In Tennessee and all over the United States many employees work long hours for their pay, especially employees that serve and protect a city from crime and other problems. However, even these employees do not always get the overtime pay they are entitled to for the hours they work. Many businesses, companies, and even cities find ways around paying these employees the pay they deserve. A recent settlement has been approved for a five year old class action overtime lawsuit involving eight hundred and fifty police officers. The police officers claim that they were not properly paid over the years. One of the police officers also claimed that they should be paid for the time it takes to put on and take off the uniforms and other safety equipment. The Police Protection association for the state agreed later that this particular claim was not compensable and that part of the lawsuit was considered to be null.
The U.S. District Court Judge approved a settlement on January 27, 2012, between these police officers and the city, giving each officer an estimated one and a half months of paid time off throughout their jobs. The settlement also resolves claims such as the city delayed the payment of overtime wages, failed to pay their employees for before or after shift work, did not follow federal rules for paid time off, and failed to pay employees for time spent on call.
The settlement is worth $10 million and includes legal fees. The city will pay this settlement by crediting each officer with two hundred and twenty-five hours of paid time off over the rest of their careers as officers. Officers who may have already retired will be paid cash equal to the time off.
If you or someone you know feels that you have not been properly paid for the overtime hours you have worked, then we strongly recommend that you contact one of our experienced Tennessee employment overtime pay attorneys right away. We care about our clients and will work with you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for your hard work.
Contact us online or call us at 800.705.2121 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
