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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Nurse's assistant sues for alleged retaliatory discharge

Medical malpractice 05

EDWARDSVILLE — A nurse's assistant alleges she was terminated from her employment after voicing concerns about transferring patients with a Hoyer lift with only one aid.

Brittiiny Thomas filed a complaint on Feb. 22, in the Madison County Circuit Court against Petersen Health Enterprises, doing business as Collinsville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, alleging it violated the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on May 10, 2016, she spoke with the shift supervisor to voice her concerns about transferring patients on and off the Hoyer lifts of the nursing home. She claims that with only one aid, the lift transfers are unsafe, will risks injuring patients and is against industry norms.

Thomas alleges that she was fired from her employment just minutes after also voicing her concerns to the administrator.

As a result, Thomas claims she suffered mental anguish, lost of wages and benefits.

She alleges the defendant showed willful, wanton and reckless disregard for her rights when they retaliatory terminated her for disclosing practices she believes is in violation of the law, the suit states.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $50,000, reinstatement of her position, back pay, benefits, pre-judgment interest, attorney's fees and other further relief as this Court deems just.

He is represented by John Stephen Brubaker of The Office of Van-Lear P. Eckert, PC in Belleville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 2017-L286

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