ST. LOUIS COUNTY - She lost her job after she nearly lost her life in the line of duty. Now a court has ordered that a local firefighter be reinstated.
Cindy Schuenke rushed into a burning house in 2006 trying to help save those inside. When the floor of the house collapsed under her she was severely burned and injured. Three years later, she was terminated by the Community Fire Protection District in St. Louis County because she could no longer perform her duties as a fire fighter.
Her attorney argues the union contract at the time of her injury promised fire fighters injured on the job would be paid until they could work again.
This week, a judge ruled that Schuenke didn't get a fair hearing with the district and ordered it to pay her potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and benefits.
"I haven't smiled and been this happy in a long time," said Schuenke who says her medical bills have outpaced her disability checks by so much that she is in danger of losing her home.
Schuenke still considers herself a firefighter and wants to return to work.
"I'm ready to show up Monday and throw on my uniform," she said, even though she admits she has more to overcome in her physical recovery.
"Hopefully I'm starting a new chapter in my life," she said.
An attorney for the fire district says it plans to appeal.
