Collateral Estoppel Bars Firefighter's Retaliatory Discharge Claim

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the doctrine of collateral estoppel barred a former firefighter’s retaliatory discharge claim, since an unemployment benefits tribunal found he had been fired for misconduct. Case: Caton v. City of Pelham, No. 1190589, 12/11/2020, published. Facts: Mark Caton worked as a police officer for the City of Birmingham and then the City of Pelham. In 2004, Pelham injured his neck when he was wrestling with a suspect. He did not receive treatment, but the pain gradually increased. In April 2006, Caton transferred from the Pelham Police Department to ...