Red Bird Express sued for allegedly refusing to rehire injured worker

A Worden trucking company is accused of refusing to allow an employee to come back to work after he was hurt on the job.

Christopher Chancey filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court against Red Bird Express.

Chancey says he began working for Red Bird Express in December 2010. In August 2011, according to the complaint, Chancey was injured while working and filed a workers' compensation claim which allowed him to take time off and receive benefits.

Chancey claims his doctor said he was ready to return to work full-time onApril 15. However, when he went back to Red Bird and asked to be reinstated in his position Chancey says he was told by the company that his job had been filled and there was no other work available. Chancey also alleges Red Bird did not fill his vacant position until after his doctor released him to work again.

The trucking company is accused of  violating Illinois' Workers' Compensation Act after failing to recall Chancey to work which Chancey contends was in retaliation for filing an on-the-job injury claim. Chancey asks for more than $100,000 in punitive and compensatory damages for lost wages, lost benefits and costs of the lawsuit.

Attorneys Thomas C. Rich, Kristina D. Cooksey and Michelle M. Rich of Fairview Heights represent Chancey.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-1788