A Darby man is suing his former company alleging infringement of disability law in 2014.
Jerome Walker sued Rumsey Electric Co. of Conshohocken in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Aug 29, claiming failure to abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act in September 2014 when it dismissed him upon discovering that he had a health condition.
According to the complaint, Walker was hired on or about March 24, 2014, via a temporary placement agency. The suit states that Walker, who suffers from mild epilepsy, performed his job adequately and was made a full-time warehouse associate on or about June 30, 2014. Walker, who is under a treatment regimen, contends that he has not experienced any seizures since February 2014.
The suit states that when Walker notified his supervisor of a doctor’s appointment on or about Sept. 3, 2014, he was instructed to bring a doctor’s note of verification back to work with him; was then required by human resources to provide a work release from his neurologist on or about Sept. 5; and was not permitted to work as of Sept. 8 pending receipt of the release.
When paperwork was finally faxed clearing Walker to work on Sept. 19, the suit states, he was terminated. The suit quotes his employer as saying, “We don’t think you’re a good fit.”
Alleging that he was discharged because of his disability without being offered engagement or accommodations of any kind, Walker asserts loss of employment, benefits and earning potential, anguish, distress, humiliation and damage to his reputation.
The plaintiff seeks monetary damages of no less than $150,000, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, and court costs. The plaintiff is represented by Michael P. Murphy Jr. and Michael Groh of the Murphy Law Group in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania 2:15-cv-04938-JD