A St. Clair County man is suing his former employer, claiming the O'Fallon moving company fired him for filing a workers' compensation claim after being hurt on the job.
Bennie Graham filed the complaint Aug. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dodge Moving & Storage Co. Inc.
Graham says he was working for Dodge Moving & Storage in O'Fallon in January 2010 when he allegedly hurt his back while on the job. He says he told his employer about the injury and filed a claim on Feb. 15 requesting workers' compensation benefits.
Graham says two weeks after filing the compensation claim, he was fired from his job at Dodge Moving & Storage. He contends the termination was an act of retaliation and a direct violation of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act.
Arguing he was fired unfairly, Graham says he has lost income and benefits, suffered injury to his reputation and mental anguish. He is asking Dodge Moving & Storage be ordered to pay between $50,000 and $75,000 in actual damages along with $75,000 in punitive damages.
Attorney Keven Boyne of Belleville is representing Graham.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-462
Dodge Moving worker claims he was fired after comp claim
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