Helitech employee claims retaliatory discharge in suit

A former employee of Helitech, Ltd. in Caseyville filed a retaliatory discharge suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court on May 12.

Chad Clark claims he was terminated from Helitech on May 19, 2006, after he had filed a workers' compensation claim related to an on-the-job injury he sustained May 9, 2006.

"At all relevant times, there existed a clear mandate of Illinois Public Policy prohibiting discharge from employment for making a worker's compensation claim and requesting worker's compensation benefits," the complaint states.

Represented by Michael J. Brunton of the Brunton Law Office in Collinsville, Clark is seeking past lost wages and future loss of earnings, as well as loss of past and future fringe benefits.

He also seeks damages for past and future pain and suffering and emotional distress. And, he claims he is entitled to punitive damages for Helitech's alleged unreasonable and vexatious discharge.