A former employee of an Illinois rehabilitation center has filed a lawsuit, claiming that she was fired after filing for workers’ compensation benefits.
Penny Lucas claims that she suffered an injury when she fell at work on December 27, 2012. She went to the hospital and was given a post-accident drug test, which came back negative, according to her lawsuit. However, the suit states that Atrium required Lucas to submit to another drug test on January 15. When the results of that drug test were allegedly found to be positive, Lucas demanded a retest, but was refused. She then paid for another drug test at a different hospital, for which the results were negative, the suit states.
The lawsuit further states that Atrium fired Lucas despite being notified of the discrepancy, and in violation of her rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.
On January 14, 2015, Penny Lucas filed her lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Cahokia’s Atrium Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
Lucas alleges that the job loss resulted in loss income and benefits, mental distress and emotional anguish. She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest, attorney’s fees, costs and other relief in excess of $75,000.
Paul Greenberg is a Chicago workers’ compensation lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit https://briskmanandbriskman.com/.