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On November 19, 2020, Attorney Martha Shaff, with assistance from Amanda Richards, obtained summary judgment in the United States District Court in and for the Southern District of Iowa for an employer in a wrongful discharge case. The Plaintiff filed suit alleging that his employer terminated him in violation of public policy for filing a workers’ compensation claim against the company. Senior Partner Martha Shaff vigorously defended the company in this federal litigation.
Attorneys Shaff and Richards filed a Motion for Summary Judgment arguing the Plaintiff did not have sufficient evidence to demonstrate that there was a causal connection between the filing of his workers’ compensation claim and his discharge from employment. On the contrary, the undisputed facts established that the Plaintiff was terminated for violating a safety policy of imminent danger.
United States District Court Judge Robert W. Pratt granted summary judgment in favor of the employer finding the record established the employer terminated the Plaintiff after a fact investigation revealed he violated a safety policy punishable by termination for a first offense. The Court concluded the Plaintiff failed to offer sufficient evidence demonstrating there was a causal connection between his filing a claim for workers’ compensation benefits and his discharge from employment.
Shaff and Richards are member/partners of the firm practicing in the area of civil litigation, with several decades of employment litigation experience. Together they represent employers and employees on multiple issues throughout Iowa and Illinois in both state and federal court.
