Ruth
A truck driver who claimed he was fired for seeking worker's compensation after an injury at work, took home $100,000 Thursday morning.
The jury began deliberating Wednesday afternoon and found in favor of plaintiff Frank Cantlon at 11 a.m. Thursday morning.
Cantlon sued his former employer, East County Transport, for retaliatory discharge.
He claimed that after he sought worker's compensation for a knee injury he suffered after a fall at work, he was fired.
The company claimed that Cantlon refused to take a drug test in a timely manner that would have cleared him to return to work.
The trial began Tuesday afternoon.
The jury heard closing arguments Wednesday.
The jury completed deliberations at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Of the $100,000, the jury awarded Cantlon $28,000 in lost wages and benefits. It tacked on $36,000 a piece for emotional distress and in punitive damages.
Cantlon was represented by Michael Brunton.
East County Transport was represented by Stephen Mudge.
Madison County Associate Judge Thomas Chapman oversaw the trial.
The case is assigned to Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth.
The case is Madison case number 06-L-435.