ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — The City of Englewood has agreed to pay $425,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a police lieutenant who alleged he was passed over for promotion after contracting COVID-19 on the job and developing long COVID.

Lt. Charles F. Silva filed suit against the city in 2023, claiming he became infected while serving as a police sergeant in April 2020. According to court filings, Silva later suffered long-term health complications, including breathing difficulties, dizziness, fatigue and neurological and cardiac issues.

Silva alleged the city required him to use 45 accumulated sick days during his recovery and initially failed to accommodate work restrictions imposed by his physician.

The lawsuit centered on the department's 2022 promotional process. Silva placed fourth on the eligibility list for lieutenant but claimed Englewood bypassed him in January 2023, promoting two officers who ranked below him.

According to the lawsuit, Silva argued the decision was based on his extended medical leave and long COVID disability. The city maintained the officers selected had more experience as sergeants.

Silva was ultimately promoted to lieutenant in June 2024. An amended complaint later alleged the city retaliated against him after he filed suit by issuing unwarranted disciplinary notices and giving him negative performance evaluations.

Under a settlement agreement signed Jan. 30, Englewood agreed to pay Silva $425,000 to resolve the claims. The agreement was first reported by TransparencyNJ.com.

As part of the settlement, Silva agreed to dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning the claims cannot be refiled. His separate workers' compensation claim was not included in the settlement.

The city denied any wrongdoing in court filings and said it agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Englewood officials did not immediately comment on the agreement.

According to personnel records obtained by TransparencyNJ.com, Silva remains employed by the Englewood Police Department as a lieutenant with a base salary of $191,278 and total gross pay of $203,955.