In a compelling legal battle, a Pennsylvania man alleges that his former employer discriminated against him due to his diabetes and wrongfully terminated him. On September 11, 2024, Asante Denton filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Universal Protection Service, LLC, doing business as Allied Universal.
According to the court documents, Denton claims that he was subjected to violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Denton, who has diabetes—a condition requiring careful management—began working for Allied Universal as a Security Officer in 2016. His duties included providing security services at various locations, including Highmark Blue Shield in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Denton's troubles began on August 9, 2023, when he was scheduled for an overnight shift. During this shift, he experienced a severe diabetic episode and became extremely fatigued. Despite informing his supervisor Ben Lehr about his condition and requesting to leave early to manage his health better, Lehr insisted that Denton stay until the end of his shift. Denton reiterated his need to leave due to safety concerns but was met with threats of disciplinary action.
On August 10, 2023, after meeting with Lehr and explaining his low blood sugar levels again, Denton left work only to be suspended pending an investigation for "abandoning his post." This suspension led to his termination on August 29, 2023. Denton contends that throughout his employment at Allied Universal, he had informed multiple supervisors about his diabetes and occasionally needed accommodations such as leaving work early during diabetic episodes.
The lawsuit details several allegations against Allied Universal: failure to provide reasonable accommodation for Denton's disability under ADA and PHRA; retaliation against him for requesting such accommodations; and interference with his rights under FMLA by not recognizing or properly managing his need for medical leave.
Denton seeks back wages, front pay, lost benefits, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, punitive damages sufficient to punish Allied Universal for its alleged misconduct, pre-judgment interest on any awarded amounts, coverage of legal costs incurred during this litigation process as well as any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Asante Denton is attorney Benjamin Salvina from Marzzacco Niven & Associates based in Harrisburg. The case has been assigned Civil Action No.: 1:24-cv-01549-CCC with Judge Christopher C. Conner presiding over it.