Our client, a former Glen Carbon police officer, recently filed a complaint against the Glen Carbon Police Department. The lawsuit alleges our client was repeatedly exposed to harmful COVID-19 cleaning chemicals while on the job. The complaint details how the Glen Carbon Police Department violated the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, the Illinois Whistleblower Act, and subjected our client to a retaliatory discharge. The Madison – St. Clair Record published an article about our case.
Our client started working at the Glen Carbon Police Department in 2008 and has 25 years of law enforcement experience.
In spring 2020, the police department implemented new sanitization measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2020, the police department switched from SERVPRO cleaner to a cheaper option, Gold Cleaner. The police department began fogging its building with Gold Cleaner that same month. At this time, our client developed respiratory problems. On one occasion, our client experienced a coughing attack so severe he passed out in front of his wife and children. The matter grew worse from there.
In August 2020, our client unknowingly entered a police department building that had just been fogged with Gold Cleaner. He did not know the building had just been fogged as the police department failed to warn him. Immediately afterward, our client again suffered symptoms from his exposure to the cleaner. He even had to see a pulmonologist.
Our client repeatedly reported his work-related illness to his employers. In response, our client faced retaliation, including accusations of mental instability and was repeatedly placed on leave. The Glen Carbon Police Department wrongfully terminated our client on March 25.
This case is ongoing. For further information, please contact attorney Sarah Jane Hunt at (314) 872-9041 or sarahjane@kennedyhuntlaw.com. If you or someone you know has been a victim of disability discrimination, our skilled attorneys at Kennedy Hunt, P.C. may be able to help you. Fill out a questionnaire so we can understand your claim.