Security guard sues after losing job following on the job injury

A former security guard at the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse has filed a lawsuit against her employer after she was terminated following an on-the-job injury.

Joann Jackson filed suit against Securitas Security Services USA Inc. and XYZ Insurance Co. on Feb. 28, 2011 in St. Tammany Parish District Court. The defendants removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on April 11.

Jackson was hired by the defendant as a security guard in August 1992, the suit states. Jackson states she was injured in December 2009 while walking out of her work building towards the parking lot in a dark area and fell into an uncovered piling hole. She did not return to work for two weeks following the accident and when she did return, she states she was in pain and notified her employer.

According to the complaint, Jackson was terminated in March 2010. She claims her employer did not have valid reasons for her termination.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for lost wages, penalties, attorney's fees, court costs, interest, mental and physical pain and suffering, physical impairments and disability, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life and attorney's fees.

Jackson is represented by New Orleans attorney Brett E. Emmanuel. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Lance M. Africk is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00795