A Springfield man is suing a Metairie condiments producer, alleging wrongful termination after losing his job.
Lionel Mathies Jr. filed a lawsuit Sept. 4 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against Baumer Foods of Metairie, alleging unlawful termination due to disability discrimination and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to the complaint, Mathies, who began working for Baumer in 2006, was granted an unpaid leave after suffering from heart problems resulting in the installation of a cardiac pacemaker May 2, 2012. After returning to work June 21, 2012, the suit says, Mathies feared working near the machinery with the pacemaker, as he was unsure it was safe.
The lawsuit states he was granted further leave to obtain clearance from his doctor or the manufacturer of his pacemaker. The suit says Mathies’ doctor sent a letter to Baumer Foods giving him release to work again. Even though Baumer received this letter, they still terminated his employment July 31, 2012, , alleging he abandoned his position, the suit says.
Mathies seeks an unspecified amount of back pay in wages and benefits, front pay, medical expenses, punitive damages, litigation costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. He is represented by attorney Stephen C. Aertker Jr. of Aertker Legal in Covington.
U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-04155.