Retaliatory discharge suit filed against Western Oilfields

Tom Seets filed a retaliatory discharge suit against Western Oilfields Supply Company of Granite City in Madison County Circuit Court April 16.

Represented by Tom Falb of Alton, Seets is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $50,000 and punitive damages in excess of $50,000 claiming he was fired after suffering a heart attack while doing heavy lifting on April 3, 2006.

Seets claims that prior to his heart attack, he filed a workers' compensation case for carpal tunnel against Western. He claims the company contested the claim and ultimately lost and was required to make workers' compensation payments to him.

He claims he was fired after being cleared to work after his heart attack despite the fact that his most recent evaluation was good and that he received a pay increase.

Seets claims he asked Western for the reason he was being terminated and claims he was told that "they could fire him and did not have to say why." He contends he was fired because they did not want him to file another claim.

Seets claims his termination has caused him to suffer pain, humiliation, mental anguish and lost wages.