Magnifying Glass
Back to Archives

Lawsuit Alleges Wearing High Heels Led to Injury

25 Jan, 2011 WorkersCompensation.com

                               
A former executive assistant at a Detroit law group recently filed a lawsuit alleging, due to a Mad Men like atmosphere, she was required to wear high heels which caused her to trip and injure her back.
 
 
According to safetynewsalert.com, the woman sued after the firm didn't offer her a job following medical leave. (WCxKit)
 
 
Denise Fitzhenry claims that in February 2007 she injured her back while working at the law offices of Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn when her high heel got caught in carpet. The lawsuit reports she was discriminated against following her injury.
 
 
Fitzhenry underwent back surgery and was out of work under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
 
 
When she returned to work, she requested accommodations because she was still in pain. The requested accommodations included working part time, regular work breaks and a ban on heavy lifting.
 
According to Fitzhenry, she was forced to take a second leave of absence because of continuing pain, but when she tried to return to work, she was informed there were no open positions for her.
 
 
She also alleges that the law firm discriminated against her due to the fact she filed a workers compensation claim.
 
 
Fitzhenrys attorney, Deborah Gordon, informed law.com that the atmosphere at Honigman was similar to an episode of Mad Men than a modern workplace. Fitzhenry claims she was required to wear high heels on the job. (WCxKit)
 
 
According to the law firm, the allegations in the suit are without merit and that Honigman has complied with all applicable laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
 
 

As for the Mad Men accusations, the company called them preposterous

 

Author Rebecca Shafer, JD, President of Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. is a national expert in the field of workers compensation. She is a writer, speaker and website publisher. Her expertise is working with employers to reduce workers compensation costs, and her clients include airlines, healthcare, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. Contact:  RShafer@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com 

 
WORK COMP CALCULATOR:   http://www.LowerWC.com/calculator.php
 
WC GROUP:  http://www.linkedin.com/groups?homeNewMember=&gid=1922050/
SUBSCRIBE: Workers Comp Resource Center Newsletter

Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers comp issues.

©2010 Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. If you would like permission to reprint this material, contact Info@WorkersCompKit.com.

    • Read Also

    Spencer Webinar Series: Serving the Injured Worker as a Team

    Spencer Webinar | Serving the Injured Worker as a Team (youtube.com)
    Autonomous Vehicles When? Thoughts and Commentary

    One of the biggest challenges that our society will experience in the next generation will be to transition from human driven cars to autonomous vehicles (AV). One only has to listen to the Beach Boys […]
    Employees Killed in Work Accidents Across Multiple States 

    Montgomery, MN (WorkersCompensation.com) – A food worker died in a warehouse accident last week, one of several industrial accident that took the lives of workers over the past few weeks.   The worker, an employee at […]

    About The Author

    • WorkersCompensation.com

    More by This Author

    Ametros’ Melissa Coleman Honored by the IAIABC as a 2024 NextGen Winner

    Wilmington, Mass. (June 24, 2024) – The IAIABC has recognized Melissa Coleman as a 2024 NextGen Award Winner. Coleman is the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Ametros, which helps people manage their medical funds following workers’ […]
    ReEmployAbility Announces Free Webinar: ‘Overcoming Jurisdictional Return-to-Work Challenges’

    ReEmployAbility, Inc.Contact: Rebecca Dearth(813) 261-3117 | news@reemployability.com Brandon, FL (May 10, 2023)- ReEmployAbility CEO and Founder Debra Livingston will be hosting a second free, live Work Comp Central webinar in their continued series to educate […]
    NCCI Annual Golf Event Tees Up $25,000 for Kids’ Chance of America

    (Orlando, FL–May 10, 2023)—The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has given $25,000 to Kids’ Chance of America, supporting college scholarships for the children of injured workers. NCCI made the donation in conjunction with its Annual […]

    Read More

    Spencer Webinar Series: Serving the Injured Worker as a Team

    Spencer Webinar | Serving the Injured Worker as a Team (youtube.com)
    Autonomous Vehicles When? Thoughts and Commentary

    One of the biggest challenges that our society will experience in the next generation will be to transition from human driven cars to autonomous vehicles (AV). One only has to listen to the Beach Boys […]
    Employees Killed in Work Accidents Across Multiple States 

    Montgomery, MN (WorkersCompensation.com) – A food worker died in a warehouse accident last week, one of several industrial accident that took the lives of workers over the past few weeks.   The worker, an employee at […]
    Study Suggests Digital Tools Improve Pain Related Disability In Total Knee Replacement Patients

    Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – With an increase in life expectancy, as well a surge in the age of workers over the age of 65, the numbers of patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) is rising as well.  […]
    How Wearable Tech and Virtual Care are Transforming Claims, from Engagement to Outcomes 

    Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) — Last week’s National Workers’ Compensation and Disability Conference in Las Vegas set the stage for an impactful dialogue about the transformational potential of wearable technology and virtual care in the workers’ […]
    What Do You Think: Was Firing Nurse who Lost Fight with Door WC Retaliation? 

    Belleville, NJ (Workerscompensation.com). An employer’s action during the period after which an employee reports an injury and the date she is fired can go a long way to either showing retaliation or negating it.   A […]

    Request a Demo

    To request a free demo of one of our products, please fill in this form. Our sales team will get back to you shortly.