Former Clearwater Employee Accuses WaWa of Discrimination

December 21, 2017

A former employee is suing WaWa, alleging disability discrimination, discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.

The man filed a complaint Nov. 29 in Pinellas Circuit Court against WaWa Inc., alleging the company fired him for wearing a back brace.

According to the complaint, the man has a history of chronic back problems that require him to wear a back brace. The man says he worked for a WaWa in Clearwater until his dismissal in 2016, allegedly for unexplained absences.

The suit says the man has suffered and will continue to suffer from mental anguish and emotional distress, loss of earnings and other employment benefits and job opportunities, as a result of WaWa’s willful and intentional discrimination and wrongful termination.

The man alleges WaWa failed its duty to eliminate discrimination from the workplace, failed to adequately supervise, control, discipline and/or otherwise penalize discriminatory practices, and discharged the man in retaliation for his filing and attempting to file a valid worker’s compensation claim.

The man seeks trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages between $15,000 and $75,000, interest, court costs and other relief.

If you believe that you have been the victim of employment discrimination because of a physical or mental disability, our Florida Discrimination Lawyers at Whittel & Melton may be able to help. The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the ADA) added disabled persons to the class of people protected against employment discrimination. The ADA defines employment to include recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, pay, and social activities.

The ADA has a very broad definition of a disability as:

• An actual physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities of an individual
• Having a record of such an impairment
• Being regarded as having such an impairment

Do you think your employer discriminated against you because of a disability? Learn more about how we can help. Our Florida Employment Lawyers at Whittel & Melton practice in both federal and state courts and are proud to advocate on your behalf. If you believe you have been the victim of employment discrimination, call is today at 727-823-0000 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.