Idaho Worker Awarded Damages for Reporting Safety Violations

A northern Idaho jury has awarded $56,000 to an excavation crew foreman who said he was fired for reporting safety violations on the Sand Creek Byway.

The Bonner County Daily Bee reported the Bonner County jury on Friday voted 9-3 in favor of Jay Nelson’s claims against Parsons RCI, the lead contractor.

Nelson, of Rathdrum, said he was wrongfully fired in 2010 for going over the head of a supervisor to report what he said were numerous safety violations by another heavy equipment operator.

Parsons RCI said Nelson was let go as part of a reduction in the workforce.