Retaliatory discharge suit filed against Peerless-Premier Appliance

Robert Botkin is suing his former employer for $150,000 claiming he was terminated for filing a workers' compensation claim.

The retaliatory discharge suit was filed against Peerless-Premier Appliance Co. in St. Clair County Circuit Court on May 29.

Represented by Daniel Juncker of Belleville, Botkin also is seeking punitive damages claiming Peerless-Premier's actions were willful and intentional.

According to the complaint, Botkin sustained injuries on Aug. 25, 2004, and on Jan. 26, 2005, whereafter he notified his employer of his intention to assert his rights pursuant to the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act.

Botkin was discharged from employment on March 2, 2006, the complaint states.

"Plaintiff has been deprived of his lawful employment, has suffered damages by his loss of income and benefits, has sustained injury to his reputation, has sustained mental anguish, all to the damage of the plaintiff in a substantial amount," the complaint states.