BELLEVILLE – A former Zade employee claims she was fired for seeking worker's compensation benefits after she was injured on the job.
Plaintiff Desirae Owens filed the lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Zade, LLC f/d/b/a/ Zoie, LLC, citing wrongful termination in violation of the Illinois Worker's Compensation Act.
According to the lawsuit, Owens was an employee of Zade, LLC. Owens claims that on July 19, 2021, she sustained injuries on the job and notified Zade of her injury. Owens adds that on Oct. 13, 2021, she notified Zade of her intention to seek worker's compensation benefits. She alleges she was terminated from her position the following day. Owens claims she was terminated from her position in retaliation for seeking worker's compensation benefits and exercising her rights under the Illinois Worker's Compensation Act.
Owens claims she has suffered mental anguish, damage to her reputation and loss of wages and benefits. She further adds that Zade's actions will impact her ability to secure employment in the future.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by the attorneys of Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb, LLC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 2022LA1087