PHILADELPHIA— A disabled man is suing New York and Texas companies, alleging Americans with Disabilities Act violations.
Bruce Gavurnik of Trevose filed a lawsuit Feb. 9 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Home Properties Inc and Home Properties LP of Rochester, New York, and Lighthouse Management Services LLC and Lone Start Funds of Dallas, alleging violation of the ADA.
According to the complaint, Gavurnik worked outside for more than 20 hours of overtime during the winter. The suit states the plaintiff suffered from conditions which were exacerbated by the cold.
In January 2014, the suit states, Gavurnik submitted two notes from his doctor requesting accommodation for better boots and no overtime in the winter. Wendy King, manager, complied with the first but threatened him about the second, the suit states.
On Feb 15, 2014, the plaintiff went to the emergency room due to work-related conditions, the suit says, and on Sept. 2, 2014, after submitting a complaint, Gavurnik was fired. On Oct. 29, 2014, he filed an EEOC discrimination charge and received right to sue in December 2015.
Gavurnik seeks damages for reinstatement, lost wages, compensation for ADA and PHRA, court costs and attorney fees, plus a jury trial. He is represented by attorney Bruce Preissman of Feasterville.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00633