BELLEVILLE — A former employee is suing a health care facility for allegedly terminating her due to her age and replacing her with a younger employee.
Marguritte Lapean filed a complaint March 13 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Belleville Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center Inc., doing business as BRIA Health Services of Belleville, alleging it violated the Illinois Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that despite being qualified for her position and able to perform her job duties, she was terminated from her employment Dec. 10, 2015.
As a result, she claims she lost wages and fringe benefits and suffered emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and other losses, the suit states.
The plaintiff, who was 64 years old when she was terminated, alleges the defendant discriminated against her because of her age, retaliated against her for engaging in a protected activity and terminated her employment and replaced her with an employee who was younger than 40.
The plaintiff seeks judgment in her favor for damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs of suit.
She is represented by Michael J. Brunton and Mary M. Stewart of Brunton Law Offices PC in Collinsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-180