New York 9/17/2010 3:16:05 AM
News / Internet

Paramedics Who Were Denied Overtime Pay May Be Able to File Unpaid Overtime Lawsuits

The overtime lawyers working with IQOvertime.com are available to review claims from paramedics and EMS workers who regularly work more than 40 hours a week and have been denied overtime pay. In general, unless a paramedic is specifically exempt from overtime wages, they are entitled to receive 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for every hour worked in excess of 40 during a single workweek. If you have been denied overtime pay as a paramedic, visit http://www.iqovertime.com/paramedics-unpaid-overtime--41063.html to find out if you are eligible to collect back overtime wages. 

The government can deny overtime pay to paramedics under an overtime law which prohibits government employees engaged in fire protection activities from collecting overtime wages. To be exempt under this provision, the employee must be trained in fire suppression; have the legal authority to combat fires; have the responsibility to engage in fire suppression; and engage in the prevention, control and extinguishment of fires. Paramedics, including those working at fire departments, who do not engage in fire protection activities and perform only medical work typically do not fall under this statute and are therefore entitled to overtime pay when working more than 40 hours per week. 

The U.S. Supreme Court recently let stand a ruling which held that paramedics employed by the Philadelphia Fire Department were non-exempt employees, as they were not responsible for fire suppression. Although the paramedics in the unpaid overtime case were required to receive two or three weeks of fire suppression training, the court characterized this instruction as “orientation” rather than actual firefighting training. In contrast, firefighters must participate exclusively in fire suppression training for 16 weeks. 

Paramedics and EMS workers who are not engaged in fire protection activities are typically entitled to overtime wages and may be able to pursue legal action if they have been refused time-and-a-half pay for their overtime hours. If you have been denied overtime pay as an EMS worker, visit http://www.iqovertime.com to receive a no obligation review of your potential unpaid overtime case. The overtime attorneys working with IQOvertime.com are offering this case evaluation at no cost and remain committed to protecting the rights of paramedics and other employees who were wrongfully denied overtime pay. 

About IQ Overtime

IQOvertime.com was established to provide information for workers who have been denied overtime compensation. Comprehensive resources for workers are available on this site, including informational articles, an overtime calculator, answers to frequently asked questions, and an overview of state overtime laws. If you have been denied overtime pay, get the legal help you need today. Visit http://www.iqovertime.com and complete the Free Case Evaluation form to have your claim reviewed at no cost.