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Fired paramedics receive $622K from city in settlement

The city of Sun Prairie settled with paramedics John Uebelacker and Matthew Schaller who were cleared of wrongdoing after being fired in 2014 over the care of a patient

By EMS1 Staff

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two paramedics who were terminated in 2014 over the care of a patient received a settlement from city officials after being cleared of any wrongdoing.

Sun Prairie Star reported that paramedics John Uebelacker and Matthew Schaller received a total of $622,252 after their credentials were pulled following an investigation by Sun Prairie EMS Medical Director Dr. Elizabeth Tumpach, which faulted their care for a patient on a Jan. 18, 2014 call.

Arbitrator Richard McLaughlin then ruled the investigation was biased and the paramedics were terminated without just cause.

City officials argued they were following state laws by terminating the paramedics after their credentials were pulled, but appeals were rejected.

An investigation conducted by a State of Wisconsin EMS Unit concluded the paramedics were in no violation of state law and provided care within the standard.

Uebelacker will receive $308,372 and Schaller will receive $313,880 in lost wages and damages.

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