JOHNSTOWN — A governmental agency is suing Appalachian Wood Products Inc., a corporation, citing alleged disability discrimination and failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a complaint on Sept. 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Appalachian Wood Products Inc., alleging the corporation failed to provide full and safe equal access to its facilities.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that defendant's job applicants have suffered injury, including emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, and loss of opportunity to earn money or be hired into specific jobs because of defendant's unlawful employment practices of refusing to hire individuals with disabilities.
The plaintiff holds Appalachian Wood Products Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly subjected applicants for employment to unlawful pre-offer medical inquiries and failed to provide equal employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant for compensatory and punitive damages, costs of action, and further relief as the court deems necessary. They are represented by Debra Lawrence and Ronald Phillips of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Baltimore.
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 18-cv-198.