PHILADELPHIA – A laborer has sued his former employer in an attempt to get his job back, claiming he was wrongfully terminated due to injuries suffered on the job.
Hector Lopez filed a lawsuit March 3 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Warminster Fiberglass Company and W.F.C. Company Inc., alleging violations of the American with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the lawsuit, Lopez worked for Warminster Fiberglass for six months as a laborer, and was first hired through a temporary agency before becoming a permanent employee in or about January 2015.
In or about February 2015, according to the claim, he suffered a work-related injury, which required him to undergo physical therapy and medication. When returning to work after his injuries, he asked management that he do light duty, the suit says.
Management, according to the claim, told him to stay out of work because they had no light duty for him. And when he did return to work on light duty, according to the claim, management would either ignore him or treat him in a demeaning and condescending manner.
After working full duty for approximately one week, Lopez was fired in March 2015, according to the lawsuit, because he was allegedly caught smoking and cursing at management, which he claimed was false.
Lopez is seeking back pay, front pay, salary, pay increases, bonuses, insurance, promotions, reinstatement, as well as punitive and/or liquidated damages.
Lopez, who is demanding a jury trial, is being represented by attorney Ari K. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C. in Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-01022-PBT