A legal complaint alleges that emergency medical workers were required to attend mandatory job-related training without pay, raising questions about wage practices at a major Michigan employer. The lawsuit was filed by David Brace on April 13, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan against Life EMS, Inc.
According to the filing, David Brace brings this case individually and on behalf of other similarly-situated employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act. The complaint seeks collective action status for all current and former paramedics and emergency medical technicians employed by Life EMS in Michigan over the past three years.
The plaintiff alleges that Life EMS employs hundreds of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics across several counties in Michigan. These employees are paid hourly wages and are not exempt from overtime pay requirements. The complaint states that an essential duty for both positions is to “attend training sessions as required,” with such sessions being integral to their primary job duties.
The lawsuit claims that while only Basic Life Support (BLS) is required for a paramedic license in Michigan, Life EMS mandates additional certifications including Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS), Emergency Pediatric Care (EPC), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). Employees must complete initial courses lasting eight to sixteen hours each, with renewal courses requiring another six to nine hours every two to four years depending on the certification.
Brace asserts that he was hired as a paramedic in Kent County on April 14, 2025, working until February 28, 2026. During his employment, he was required to attend multiple unpaid training sessions for ACLS and PHTLS on specific dates in April and May 2025. He also attended other mandatory trainings except BDLS but was not compensated for any time spent in these sessions. Attempts to clock in for these trainings were denied by management, resulting in timecards marked as “disapproved.”
The complaint references federal regulations stating that “time spent in attending training required by an employer is normally considered compensable hours of work” (29 C.F.R. § 553.226(b)), especially when such training is directly related to the employee’s job or when attendance is necessary to maintain employment conditions.
Legal arguments presented include alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act regarding failure to pay overtime wages for compensable training time and failure to keep adequate payroll records as required by law. The suit also cites violations of Michigan’s Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act based on similar grounds.
The plaintiff contends that these actions were intentional and taken in bad faith, causing financial distress among affected employees due to lost earnings and unpaid overtime compensation. The suit requests class certification so notice can be provided to all current and former EMTs and paramedics who worked at any point during the last three years throughout Michigan.
In terms of relief sought from the court, Brace asks for designation of this matter as a collective action under federal law; compensatory damages; declaratory relief; exemplary and punitive damages; liquidated damages; reasonable attorney’s fees; costs; prejudgment and postjudgment interest; as well as any further relief deemed just by the court.
Attorneys Kara F. Krause (P85487) and Noah S. Hurwitz (P74063) from Hurwitz Law PLLC represent the plaintiff in this case identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-01186.
Source: 126cv01186_David_Brace_v_Life_Ems_Complaint_Western_District_of_Michigan.pdf
