Basler Electric named in wrongful discharge complaint

A Highland man who was fired from Basler Electric Company on Feb. 27, filed a retaliatory discharge suit in Madison County Circuit Court alleging he was discharged after sustaining a work-related injury.

Luke Woltering alleges he sustained an injury to his hand while working at Basler, located in Highland, on Feb. 26. He claims he did did not immediately recognize that he injured his hand so he completed his shift.

He claims the next morning he realized that his hand was injured and when he arrived at work he informed his boss that he sustained a work-related injury the day before.

According to the complaint filed May 31, Woltering's supervisor told him to visit a health care provider on the morning of Feb. 27, and when he returned back to work he was terminated from employment.

"Defendant was aware of Plaintiff's work-related injury when the decision to discharge Plaintiff was made," the complaint states.

Woltering claims his "illegal discharge" has caused him to suffer mental and emotional anguish and injury, lost wages and benefits and hr has incurred debts and lost credit.

Represented by Peter and Benjamin Westhoff of St. Louis, Woltering is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $50,000, punitive damages in excess of $50,000, cost of the suit and reasonable attorney fees.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David Hylla.

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