PHILADELPHIA — A man is suing two companies, alleging he was wrongfully terminated after wearing a doctor-prescribed walking boot to work.
Charles Hall filed a lawsuit on March 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Gemini Plastics Inc. and Labor Ready Northeast Inc., citing violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to the complaint, Hall was assigned by Labor Ready Northeast to work for Gemini Plastics in June 2015. Preceding that, in March 2015, the plaintiff had a toe amputated as a result of his history of diabetes, the suit says. His claim alleges that he was instructed by his physician to wear a walking boot if possible after the surgery, and goes on to say that a Gemini manager agreed it was permissible.
On Aug. 25, 2015, an employee of Gemini allegedly told the plaintiff that he was not allowed to wear the walking boot while working. Hall says he obtained a doctor's note confirming that he could return to work in his sneakers. The plaintiff avers that he was unlawfully terminated the next day because his supervisor believed his health problems put him at risk in the workplace.
Hall seeks compensation for all lost wages and benefits, punitive damages, costs, expenses, and a trial by jury. He is represented by Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti PC, in Bensalem, PA.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01307