A jury awarded $40,000 to a maintenance worker who claimed he and his wife were fired by a group of affiliated preschools in retaliation for his seeking workers’ compensation benefits.
In October 2013, Pedro Valdez, 51, injured his leg while carrying a table. When he claimed workers’ compensation benefits, the human resources manager at Home Away From Home Wellington Learning Center Inc. allegedly terminated his employment. The defense argued Valdez was fired for infractions, including smoking in a parking lot, leaving a hammer at a playground and refusing to hang a mirror where directed. Counsel asserted Valdez’s wife was fired so a full-time employee could be hired. Valdez offered the jury explanations for his actions and claimed they were not fireable offenses.
Case: Valdez v. Home Away From Home Wellington Learning Center
Case No.: 50-2013-CA-016511-XXXX-MB
Plaintiffs attorneys: Timothy Felice and Matthew R. Naparstek, Felice & Ehrlich, Palm Beach Gardens
Defense attorney: John M. Jorgensen, Scott, Harris, Bryan, Barra & Jorgensen, Palm Beach Gardens
