Boss Allegedly Fires Alcoholic Employee For Seeking Rehabilitation.

David ManesLawsuits & Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Employee Files Lawsuit against South Park Mitsubishi for Disability Discrimination    

Michael started working as the service manager at South Park Mitsubishi in 2004. As an alcoholic with an addiction to prescription medications, Michael is disabled. The owners of South Park Mitsubishi were aware of Michael’s alcoholism. Although Michael had a period of 8 dry years, he turned to alcohol again when he suffered a personal trauma. Despite his growing dependence on alcohol, Michael never showed up late for work, never arrived intoxicated, and never worked under the influence of alcohol.

Eventually, Michael decided he didn’t want to keep living this way.  He texted the owners of South Park Mitsubishi about joining an alcoholic rehabilitation program, anticipating that the text would initiate a discussion about leave. Michael knew that he and the company both qualified for FMLA rights. But, forty-five minutes later, Michael received a call from one of the owners telling him, “You’re fired.”

When Michael tried to explain how he needed the employer’s help for rehabilitation, the owner refused to listen. Michael started the program. Ten days into the program, Michael contacted the South Park Mitsubishi owner and asked about any open positions, even a demotion from his last position. The owner refused to rehire Michael without any given reason. At the end of the month, Michael had to stop the rehabilitation program because he no longer had health insurance without his job.

Despite his disability, Michael claims that he helped double the monthly profit during his dozen years employed at South Park Mitsubishi. In Michael’s time of need, his employer ignored the obligations set out by the law and, instead, fired him. KM&A challenges unlawful employment actions and fights for employees like Michael.

Full text of this complaint, as filed with the District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, is available at docket no: 2:17-cv-01051-NBF

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC is an employment law firm with principal offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving all counties in Pennsylvania, focusing on employment law, business law, litigation, and civil issues. KM&A clients include employees, small businesses, parties in litigation, and people with a variety of legal issues.

For more information about this case, contact Attorney Kayla Drum at 412-626-5594 or at kd@lawkm.com.

NOTICE: All information contained in this statement comes from the Complaint which has been filed as a public record with the court. As dedicated civil rights attorneys, we strongly believe in the public value of telling our clients’ stories: violators can be held accountable, and other silent victims can feel empowered to stand up for their legal rights. Although we make every attempt to verify our clients’ claims, note that the defendant is expected to oppose our client’s position, and the court has not ruled one way or the other as of the date of this statement.