ERIE - An Erie resident has cited a Pennsylvania-based manufacturing corporation for violating employment law.
Patrick Hodapp filed a lawsuit June 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against PHB Inc., alleging wrongful termination due to age discrimination.
According to the complaint, Hodapp worked for the defendant from late May 1989 to early August 2014. At the time of his termination he was 60 years old and working as a DEP license water operator/waste water operator at PHB's plant in Fairview.
The suit states that Hodapp was laid off on Aug. 1 because he "no longer fit into the water team" despite the fact that he was skilled and exhibited a solid productive performance in his job duties throughout his employment.
The civil action alleges that Hodapp was fired due to his older age, alleging that significantly younger and less qualified employees were assigned to his former duties after he was let go and he was cross-trained in other aspects at PHB so there was work he could have done there besides that of which related to the industrial waste and water treatment systems. Thus, the defendant is alleged to have violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
Hodapp seeks reinstatement in a position for which he is qualified, unpaid salary and benefits, liquidated damages, attorney fees and court costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Richard T. Ruth in Erie.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania case number 1:15-cv-00152-BR.