A Columbia man is suing his former employer for allegedly terminating him after he took medical leave that he was entitled to under the law.
Nolan Bronner filed a lawsuit July 7 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Anvil International Inc. of Exeter, N.H., alleging violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, Bronner began working for Anvil International as a foundry processor in March 2013 and performed his job in a satisfactory manner throughout his employment without any disciplinary issues.
The suit states Bronner requested to take FMLA leave for about three days in mid-May 2014, for the birth of his child and caring for his wife afterward. However, his wife didn't give birth during this time so Bronner requested FMLA leave again for three days toward the end of the month when his wife did go into labor, the suit says.
Despite receiving notification that his absences from May 22-24, 2014, were FMLA-approved, Bronner was terminated June 2, 2014, with Anvil management, alleging the reason was because he was a no-call/no-show May 23-24 and he didn't call out properly on those days.
The plaintiff alleges the defendant's reason for his termination was completely pretextual and he was actually terminated in retaliation for requesting and taking FMLA-qualifying leave.
Bronner seeks lost earnings and benefits, liquidated damages, attorney fees, court costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court. He is represented by attorney Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti in Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 5:15-cv-03763-LS.