NEW ORLEANS – A lift operator claims his former employer violated his rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act to maximize its profits.
Roger D. Sanders filed a lawsuit against Cajun Iron Workers, Offshore Service Vessels LLC, Family Medical Services and Darren Duet on Oct. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana citing a violation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.
While working 12-hour shifts at seven days on and seven days off as a lift operator for Cajun Iron Workers, Sanders was diagnosed with a circulatory blockage, mandating bypass surgery on Dec. 20, 2014, the complaint states. He then took 12 weeks off, in accordance with FMLA. The leave began approximately Jan. 15 and was to end on April 10.
On March 10, Sanders claimed that Cajun Iron Workers refused to accept his return to work, despite being released to full duty by his medical provider. Instead, Sanders claims, Cajun Iron Workers insisted that he take additional, unpaid and unprotected medical leave – during that time they demanded that he provide them with all of his medical records.
On or about April 28, the lawsuit claims, Cajun Iron Workers fired Sanders, stating that he was “not physically able to work.”
Sanders is seeking reinstatement to his former position as a lift operator as well as the restoring of his employment benefits, including his health insurance, retroactive Jan. 23, 2013.
Sanders is represented by Covington-based attorneys Dale E. Williams and Chad A. Danenhower.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-05423-NJB-SS