SCRANTON — A disabled security officer has filed suit against his former employer and a client for alleged disability discrimination and wrongful termination after the client determined his disability posed a liability in performing his duties as a security guard and the former employer terminated his employment.
Michael Butera filed a complaint April 19 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against St. Moritz Security Services Inc. and SKF USA Inc., alleging that they violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that sometime in 2003, he suffered severe injury to his legs that required extensive surgery and metal rods to be placed in his legs. He was hired as a security officer by defendant St. Moritz Security Services Inc. in April 2015.
On May 4, 2015, he informed defendant SKF USA of his health condition. He was terminated May 5, 2015, because the defendant alleged his condition would cause him to be a liability if he was injured. The plaintiff holds St. Moritz Security Services Inc. and SKF USA Inc. responsible because the defendants allegedly terminated his employment because of his disabilities.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an order to prohibit the defendants from continuing their illegal policy, compensation for all damages, attorney fees, costs and expenses, and any or all equitable relief that the court may deem just and proper. He is represented by Ari R. Karpf of Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti PC in Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case number 1:16-cv-00652