EAST ST. LOUIS - A former transit service manager for Metro claims he was terminated after requesting FMLA leave after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.
Robert Paraham filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 7 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Bi-State Development Agency of Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District, doing business as Metro, Metro Transit and Metrobus Metrolink, alleging violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the lawsuit, Paraham was hired as a transit service manager on Nov. 5, 2018. He worked for the defendant until his termination in December 2020. He claims that on Nov. 10, 2020, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, causing Paraham to request FMLA on Nov. 13, 2020. Then on Nov. 25, 2020, Paraham called human resources to discuss FMLA and take his wife to treatment. On Dec. 3, 2020, Paraham's supervisor was notified by him and FMLA that the FMLA paperwork for approval had been turned in, and was further approved on Dec. 7, 2020. However, Paraham was terminated on Dec. 9, 2020.
Paraham claims he was caused to suffer damages, including lost wages, past and future wages, all other sums of money, including any and all benefits and any other employment benefits.
Paraham seeks an award, inter alia, of back pay, interest, special damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, reinstatement or restoration of benefits, attorney's fees, costs and expenses. Paraham is represented by Michelle K Faron of McMichael Logan Schaeffer Gilpin in Clayton, Mo.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:21-cv-01588-RJD