Anderson Hospital in Maryville
A CT scan technician who jammed his left thumb between a patient and a plexi-glass shield filed suit in Madison County Circuit Court against Anderson Hospital claiming he was fired for taking time off for allowing his thumb to heal.
David Melzer claims on April 16, 2003 injured his thumb during the scope of his employment with Anderson. On May 18, 2003, the symptoms became so severe he had to leave work early and seek treatment from an orthopedic surgeon. Melzer received worker's compensation benefits.
“Anderson Hospital informed Melzer that he was terminated from his employment on May 20, 2003,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Melzer was “temporarily and totally disabled from May 20, 2003 through Oct. 1, 2003, during which time he could not earn wages he otherwise would have earned."
Melzer also claims he lost additional wages from Oct. 2 through Dec. 7, 2003 until he found a new job with Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He claims he earns substantially less.
“Melzer has lost gross wages of $32,822.92 as a result of Anderson’s retaliatory discharge, in addition to the loss if valuable employment benefits including health care and retirement plans,” the complaint states.
Melzer also claims he experienced emotional distress as a result of his discharge from Anderson.
Seeking damages in excess of $50,000 plus all costs of the suit, Melzer is represented by Richard Sharrard, Sr. of Edwardsville.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge George Moran, Jr.
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