Lane Bryant employee claims retaliatory discharge

Linda Haas filed suit against her former employer claiming she was discharged for filing a worker's compensation claim.

According to a suit filed March 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Haas was injured while working at the Lane Bryant clothing store in Fairview Heights on Oct. 31, 2005. She was let go from work on Feb. 23, 2006.

Charming Shoppes Outlet Stores is the defendant doing business as Lane Bryant Outlet.

"That the discharge by the defendant...was wrongful and oppressive, and wilful and wanton, and in retaliation for the exercise by the plaintiff of her legal rights pursuant to the Illinois Worker's Compensation Act," the complaint states.

She claims she has been deprived of her lawful employment, lost income and benefits, sustained injuries to her reputation and suffered mental anguish.

Haas is represented by Joseph A. Bartholomew of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin of Belleville. She is seeking in excess of $50,000, but less than $75,000.