Woods Basement sued over worker's alleged wrongful termination

A man claims his employer wrongly terminated him after he filed for workers’ compensation benefits.

Matthew LaFrank filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Woods Basement Systems.

In his complaint, LaFrank alleges he was working for Woods Basement on Nov. 2 when he sustained injuries. LaFrank does not specify how the injuries occurred, but does say that he notified Woods Basement of his intention to file a workers’ compensation claim.

On Jan. 4, Woods Basement refused to reemploy LaFrank because of his claim, according to the complaint.

“The aforesaid discharge, termination, refusal to recall or rehire by the defendant was wrongful and in retaliation for the exercise by the plaintiff of his legal rights pursuant to the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Act and was in violation of the policy expressed in Section 4 (h) of said Act,” the suit states.

Because of his job loss, LaFrank lost wages, pension and health care benefits, the complaint says.

He seeks a judgment of more than $50,000 and punitive damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Daniel K. Juncker of Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-407.