PITTSBURGH — A former employee of Bridges Hospice Inc. is suing the company, alleging that he was denied medical leave and wrongfully terminated in an act of discrimination against his age.
John Scalzott filed a lawsuit on March 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Bridges Hospice Inc., citing violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to the complaint, Scalzott worked for the defendant from April 8, 2014, until May 30, 2014, in the position of patient care coordinator. He claims that shortly after he began working, he told the defendant that he had osteoarthritis in his knees and may require a short time off for knee surgery in the near future.
The plaintiff avers that when his superior learned of Scalzott’s need for leave, she became furious and told other managers that he had only taken the position for the health insurance. He was allegedly denied leave for the surgery and was terminated on May 30, 2014. The plaintiff claims he was denied leave and fired in violation of his rights.
Scalzott seeks lost wages, reinstatement to his position as patient care coordinator, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, costs, and expenses. He is represented by Samuel J. Cordes of Samuel J. Cordes & Associates, in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00303-JFC