Belleville, Inc. sued for wrongful termination

Deborah Whisenant filed suit against her former employer claiming she was fired in retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim.

Whisenant is seeking in excess of $150,000 from BP Amoco, also known as Belleville, Inc.

She claims that on Jan. 31, 2006, she was injured on the job. She subsequently filed a comp claim on Feb. 7, 2006, and has since been released to return to work.

"That defendant refused to allow plaintiff to return to her employment by reason of her assertion of her rights under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act," the complaint states.

Whisenant claims she has lost income and benefits, sustained injuries to her reputation and has suffered mental anguish.

She is represented by Eric Kirkpatrick of the Kirkpatrick Law Offices in Belleville.