Five Things You Need to Know: 7/20, Friday Edition

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) -

1) TX Hotel Employee Seeks $1M in Damages after a Workplace Accident Allegedly Leads to a Finger Amputation

Seyed Mohammed Shariat, out of Houston, has filed a lawsuit against Metro Hospitality Partners LTD, alleging a saw cut off one finger and hurt another while he was working at the Crown Plaza Hotel, writes Kristine Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record. “…He alleges he was cutting aluminum railings to be installed in a room with a saw provided by the defendant that was old and rusty,” per the article. “…The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of no less than $1 million and such other and further relief to which he may be justly entitled.”

2) Steel Co. in TX Sued for an Alleged Unsafe Workplace

Houston resident Yancy Ramos has filed a lawsuit against Texas Transteel Co. LLC and Texas Transteel Transit LLC, alleging he slipped and fell on a vehicle scale while on the clock, writes Kristine Gonzales-Abella of the Southeast Texas Record. “…He alleges he sustained serious personal injuries, mental anguish, pain and suffering, disability and medical expenses,” writes Gonzales-Abella. “…The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks monetary relief of more than $200,000 but not more than $1 million and such other and further relief to which he is entitled.”

3) Paragon Opens Office in CA, and Welcomes New Work Comp Director

Paragon insurance company, which offers work comp services, has expanded to San Diego, according to Insurance Journal. Robert Etzler has been hired on as the SVP and Work Comp Director. “…Prior to joining Paragon, Etzler held leadership roles at Cypress Point – Arrowhead General Insurance Agency (now Arrowhead General Insurance Agency), Atlas General Insurance Services, and most recently, Midwestern Insurance Alliance,” per the article.

4) CA: EEOC Files Lawsuit Against Healthcare Co., Alleging Wrongful Termination 

The EEOC is filing a lawsuit against Dignity Health out of California, alleging Redding food service tech worker Alina Sorling was terminated after ten years on the job for unpaid leave she took to rehabilitate her vision, writes Marian Johns of Legal News Line. “…the company refused to provide her accommodations and allow her to return to work after instituting a 20/40 vision requirement for her job after firing her,” per the article. “…The EEOC is seeking lost wages, expenses, upfront pay, compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief." 

5) NY Woman Charged With Stealing More than $4K in Work Comp Benefits 

Buffalo (Depew) resident Carolyn Guarnieri is in trouble with the state of New York after allegedly taking more than $4,000 in work comp benefits that weren’t hers, according to WGRZ.   The 44-year-old was officially “…charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree and petit larceny,” per the article. The fraud allegedly took place Winter of 2016 through April 2017. 

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