ERIE — A manufacturer of scientific equipment faces allegations of disability discrimination.
Howard S. Stein filed a complaint on Aug. 2 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Thermo-Fisher Scientific Inc. for alleged violations of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
According to the complaint, Thermo-Fisher Scientific fired Stein for sending sample products to his home for his own use. However, the complaint states, managers told him the process to get samples to customers was to send products to his home, especially if the products were hazardous. Stein claims two managers knew of this process.
The company fired Stein, who uses a wheelchair, and another disabled employee, the complaint states. But they did not fire two non-disabled workers. Stein claims the company subjected him to disability discrimination.
Stein requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for damages, injunctive and declaratory relief. He is represented by James B. Lieber, Thomas M. Huber and Jacob M. Simon of Lieber Hammer Huber & Paul in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:18-cv-01107-AJ