PHILADELPHIA — A youth detention counselor trainee is suing the City of Philadelphia - Juvenile Justice Center, citing alleged disability discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Salimah Barkley filed a complaint May 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, alleging that the government entity violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act.
According to the complaint, Barkley sustained injuries on June 13, 2017 when a fire broke out at the defendant's facility, preventing her from lifting and driving for an extended period of time.
In addition, Barkley said she was terminated on Aug. 4, 2017, resulting in a loss of earnings and benefits, mental anguish, emotional distress, humiliation and damage to her reputation.
The plaintiff claims the defendant terminated her on the basis of her disability and in retaliation for a request for reasonable accommodations.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages of more than $150,000 and other just and equitable relief. She is represented by Michael Murphy of Murphy Law Group LLC in Philadelphia.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania case number 2:18-cv-02200-NIQA