HARRISBURG — A former plumber for Chemed Corporation, Roto-Rooter Group Inc., and Williamson Plumbing & Heating Inc. is suing the companies for allegations of racial discrimination.
Jim Belizaire filed a lawsuit on March 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Chemed Corporation, Roto-Rooter Group Inc., Williamson Plumbing & Heating Inc., and Richard Williamson, citing violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, on the basis of race and national origin discrimination.
According to the complaint, Belizaire was hired to work as a plumber by the defendant on Nov. 23, 2013, having 14 years of training and experience in the field. The plaintiff claims that he was treated differently than his coworkers for being from Haiti and having a distinctly Haitian accent. He avers that he was given less work, inadequate equipment, and was yelled at by his supervisor, among other things.
On April 17, 2014, Belizaire avers that he was terminated after working on a job with a customer who complained about his work for claims that she could not understand him. The plaintiff reports that he had no prior incidents of this manner and that he was treated differently than his white coworkers throughout his employment and termination.
Belizaire seeks compensation for lost pay and benefits, front pay, punitive damages, compensation for future loss, pre and post-judgment interest, cost of suit, attorney and expert witness fees, and a trial by jury. He is represented by Gerald S. Robinson of Robinson & Geraldo, in Harrisburg, PA.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:16-cv-00516-JEJ