ROHO employee claims retaliatory discharge

A former employee at ROHO Group, a medical products company in Belleville, filed a retaliatory discharge lawsuit claiming she was fired after asserting her rights under the Illinois Worker's Compensation law by making a claim for benefits.

Nevada Harris claims she was employed at ROHO from 2003 until she was terminated March 6.

She filed her suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court on May 3.

According to Harris, she suffered repetitive stress injuries during her employment which caused her to contract bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of a group of neurological disorders known as an entrapment neuropathy.

In the case of carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve is compressed where it runs through a channel in the wrist called the carpal tunnel.

Harris claims that ROHO fired her intentionally, willfully and maliciously.

She claims the termination has caused lost wages, embarrassment, inconvenience, pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of a normal life.

Represented by Edward Szewczyk of Granite City, Harris is seeking a judgment in her favor for compensatory and punitive damages in excess of $50,000 which will fairly and reasonably compensate her for her alleged damages.

ROHO was founded in 1973 by Robert H. Graebe and are based in Belleville. According to its website, ROHO manufactures medical cushions and mattresses mimic the properties of water, in a dry, air-fluid environment. The technology assists in healing as well as preventing pressure sores.

06 L 276 (20th Circuit)