HARRISBURG — A former employee of Patrick Industries is suing the company for allegations of wrongful termination in regard to him taking medical leave.
William Eshleman filed a lawsuit on March 16 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Patrick Industries Inc., citing violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
According to the complaint, Eshleman was an employed by the defendant with FMLA eligibility that covered 12 weeks of FMLA protected leave. Beginning on Oct. 14, 2015, the plaintiff claims, he took FMLA leave for a surgery to remove a nodule from his left lung and other various illnesses, and he claims the action was approved by his supervisor.
On Jan. 2, 2016, the plaintiff’s supervisor informed him that he was being terminated due to performance issues, according to the suit. The plaintiff claims that this was a false allegation and that he was wrongfully fired for taking FMLA leave that was due him.
Eshleman seeks lost pay, lost benefits, financial losses, exemplary and/or punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs, and reinstatement of employment and pay rate. He is represented by Samuel A. Dion of Dion & Goldberger, in Philadelphia, and Richard B. Bateman Jr., in Media.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:16-cv-00458-YK