BELLEVILLE — A cleaning company employee claims she was fired in retaliation for receiving workers' compensation after being hospitalized with respiratory issues due to exposure to cleaning chemicals.
Brandy Clark filed a complaint Oct. 12 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Clements Cleaning Inc., alleging violation of the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act.
According to Clark's complaint, she was employed by Clements Cleaning from June 6, 2019, through Oct. 14, 2019. She alleges that in August 2019, she began to experience "physical symptoms" due to her exposure to the cleaning chemicals she used during the course of her employment.
Clark also alleges she suffered a reaction to the cleaning chemicals again in September 2019 and on Sept. 25, 2019, had to seek medical treatment for "respiratory issues" that required hospitalization for seven days. Clark claims she was cleared by her physician to return to work on Oct. 14, 2019. She alleges that when she advised Clements Cleaning she was able to work again, she was terminated.
Clark alleges Clements terminated her in retaliation and that she has suffered lost wages, emotional pain, embarrassment, humiliation and stress.
Clark seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other proper relief. She is represented by Clay St. Clair of St. Clair, Gilbreth & Steppig LLC in Columbia.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 20-L-0790