Fired employee fires back with suit

An employee who filed a workers' compensation claim after injuring himself on the job--and was then allegedly fired for doing so--filed a four-count civil suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court June 3.

David Colvis claims his employer, Power Maintenance and Constructors of Swansea, fired him on March 26, 2002, because he collected benefits pursuant to the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act.

“Colvis has been deprived of his lawful employment and sustained injuries by his loss of income and benefits, damage to his reputation, and has sustained mental anguish, all to his damage in a substantial amount,” the complaint states.

Represented by Joseph Bartholomew of Belleville, Colvis is seeking at least $50,000 in compensatory damages and at least $50,000 in punitive damages, plus all costs of the suit.

05 L 329 (20th Circuit)