BELLEVILLE — A former city employee is suing Collinsville, alleging he was terminated after taking workers' compensation benefits for an injury.
Todd Gries filed a complaint on April 26 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against the City of Collinsville, alleging retaliatory discharge.
The suit states Gries began working for Collinsville in 2007, eventually moving to the water department as a laborer and then a waterline crewman. On July 18, 2016, Gries claims he was promoted to waterline serviceman and was injured on the job in March 2017.
As a result, the plaintiff alleges he needed to take medical leave and filed for worker's compensation he was entitled to under the Workers' Compensation Act. While on leave, Gries alleges he applied for the job of water plant operator, for which he says he was well qualified but he was denied the promotion.
After returning to work, Gries claims he was repeatedly disciplined for alleged poor performance at work. Then on Oct. 26, 2017, the plaintiff was terminated after arriving to work late.
Gries seeks trial by jury, plus all wages, benefits and compensation due, relief in excess of $50,000, attorneys' fees, court costs and other just and proper relief. He is represented by attorney Laura E Schrick of Mathis, Marifian & Richter Ltd. in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 19-L-308