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PENNSYLVANIA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Pittsburgh firefighter sues insurer over allegations of hostile phone exchange

State Court
Firefighter

PITTSBURGH – A city of Pittsburgh firefighter is suing Blue Cross/Blue Shield claiming he lost his promotion because the insurance carrier reported him and falsely accused him of using foul language, verbally abusing and/or physically threatening Blue Cross/Blue Shield employees during a phone exchange.

The suit was filed Aug. 14 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas by Joseph Deresh against Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield alleging libel.

Deresh's lawsuit stems from a May phone call he made to Blue Cross/Blue Shield after he was not able to obtain his prescription medication because a temporary hold had been placed on his flexible spending account. While Deresh alleges in his suit that he told the Blue Cross/Blue Shield customer service rep Bill that he "was in a pissed off mood" due to not being able to obtain his medication, he asserts he never threatened or verbally abused any of the three representatives he spoke to that day. 

Blue Cross/Blue Shield allegedly informed the manager of the city of Pittsburgh Office of Municipal Investigations regarding Deresh's alleged behavior, who reported it to the chief at the Fire Headquarters.

Deresh alleges in June he not receive his promotion to captain due to the investigation into his "unbecoming conduct," the suit states.

Deresh seeks compensatory and punitive damages and is represented by James DePasquale. 

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