Optometrist sues Granite City Vision over terminated contract

An optometrist hired by a Granite City company wants to receive the more than $100,000 the company promised him upon hiring him, even though the company has since terminated its contract with him.

Ron Loflin filed a complaint Sept. 15 in Madison County Circuit Court against Granite City Vision.

Loflin claims he entered into a contract with Granite City Vision on June 28 in which he agreed to work as an optometrist for it beginning on Aug. 31 and continuing until Aug. 31, 2011. In return, Granite City Vision agreed to pay Loflin $103,380 for his services, according to the complaint.

However, on July 23, Granite City Vision terminated the contract for reasons Loflin does not specify in his complaint.

Because Loflin had already signed the contract, he hired his lawyer to write Granite City Vision a letter informing it that he would still show up for work on his scheduled start date, the suit states.

Granite City Vision responded to the letter, saying it would ask Loflin to leave if he did appear, the complaint says.

Despite the fact that Granite City Vision terminated its contract with him, Loflin claims Granite City Vision still owes him the money it promised to pay him.

In addition to the salary he says he is owed, Loflin seeks attorney's fees and costs.

John L. Bitzer of Bitzer Law Firm in Collinsville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-957.