EDWARDSVILLE — A former Beverly Farm Foundation employee claims she was fired in retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim after her finger became stuck in a wheelchair.
Janine Pittman filed a complaint Sept. 13 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Beverly Farm Foundation, also known as Beverly Farm Association, alleging retaliatory discharge.
According to the complaint, Pittman worked for Beverly Farm from February 2018 through Sept. 17, 2020, as a direct care attendant. She alleges that on June 20, 2019, she was preparing a client to board a wheelchair when her middle finger became caught between the brake and wheel of the chair. Pittman alleges she suffered injuries to her wrist and other fingers and filed a workers' compensation claim. She claims she was placed on work restrictions on June 26, 2019, and was eventually moved to the switchboard operator position in April 2020. Pittman alleges she was fired on Sept. 17, 2020. She claims she was terminated in retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim and not due to an inability to perform her job.
Pittman seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Michael Blotevogel and Charles Armbruster, III of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt & Blotevogel LLC in Maryville.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-001102