Former WTVM sports anchor Dave Platta, fired when he refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, has reached a settlement agreement with Gray Media Group, Inc.
Platta filed the federal civil rights lawsuit seeking damages for deprivation of rights, breach of contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, practicing medicine without license/informed consent and negligence.
After working for WTVM for over 36 years, the station’s parent company, Gray Media Group, fired Platta for “not complying with company policy.” He was told to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 15, 2021, but he wrote a four-page letter requesting a religious exemption. The request was denied.
“We have reviewed your request for a reasonable accommodation from this condition of employment,” Gray wrote to Platta in an email. “Your job position, however, requires close contact with other individuals to fulfill the essential duties of your job. This means that no reasonable accommodation is available for your current role. Therefore, if you are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 15, 2021, you will not be qualified to remain employed with Gray Television on that date.”
Platta was unable to retire and could not work in the market because of a non-compete clause in his contract. Platta filed the lawsuit and wanted others to know they could also seek justice.
SEE ALSO: Former WTVM sports broadcaster in legal battle after ‘life devastated’ by COVID vaccine mandate
In a filing Monday, the two parties entered a joint motion of settlement, stating they had reached an agreement, although details of the settlement were not revealed.
“The parties are working to finalize the details of the settlement and will file a stipulation of dismissal pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement as soon as that is complete,” the motion states.
Gray Media Group expects a finalized agreement within 10 days. Both parties expect an initial settlement payment in December and a final payment in January after the case is officially dismissed.
Settlement Statement by Erica Thomas on Scribd
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