Man awarded $500,000 in wrongful termination suit

On Behalf of | Mar 20, 2014 | Wrongful Termination

Certain health conditions and diseases can impact a person’s ability to work or continue to perform the same duties. For one man, his HIV status affected the time he could work. He contends that he was the victim of a wrongful termination when he lost his job after his disease became an issue. Anyone with medical issues in Colorado and in fear of losing their job because of it may want to know how the case came about.

The man needed certain medications to treat his HIV. He says this prevented him from working the night shift. He reportedly gave his boss a doctor’s note, explaining the need to switch shifts. His request was still denied. He was told he should quit the job, but he continued to stay on and was told he was staying on the night shift.

After this request was denied, the man filed a complaint with human resources. He then says bad reviews and anonymous complaints were filed against him, and he was fired. He believes the stigma of HIV played a role in and actually led to his termination. His case against the hotel he worked for was successful, and he won monetary damages as a result.

Wrongful termination suits can be difficult to prove but worth the journey if one feels they were genuinely fired for illegal reasons, such as their health or medical needs. In Colorado and elsewhere, there are laws and protections in place for workers. If someone successfully pursues a wrongful termination lawsuit, they may garner damages that could help them provide for themselves and their family until they find new employment, or they could get their job back and any back pay to which they are found to be entitled to receive.

Source: edgeonthenet.com, Man With HIV Gets $500G for Wrongful Termination by Manhattan Hotel, No author, March 17, 2014