We work so we can support ourselves and our families. The last thing that any of us expects is that we will be fired from our jobs for doing the right thing. Unfortunately, wrongful terminations are not uncommon in and around the Los Angeles area. At The Kaufman Law Firm, our Los Angeles wrongful termination attorneys want to discuss a recent case involving an employee who says she was fired because she spoke up about not having adequate protective equipment when working on an ambulance.
We have recently seen a story about two ambulance employees who said they lost their jobs for objecting to their employers providing inadequate protective gear. Of course, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment is incredibly important. It is completely understandable that all frontline medical employees want to have maximum personal protective equipment before they head to work each day. There is no way of knowing whether they will come into contact with a COVID-19-infected person, and this equipment is the best way for workers to remain safe.
Kaitlin Wilson has filed a lawsuit against Lifeline Ambulance. The suit alleges termination, discrimination, and retaliation. Wilson alleges that she was fired for objecting to transporting coronavirus patients without having the proper protective gear provided by her employer. She is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from the company.
Wilson is a coworker of Rayan Melendez, another former employee of the company that has also filed a lawsuit with the same allegations.
Wilson Began working with Lifeline Ambulance in March of 2019 as an EMT. In September of 2019, she was paired with Melendez as her partner. Their primary duties included transporting patients between medical facilities and assessing their condition prior to transportation and during transportation.
Wilson says that she and Melendez initially complained about the lack of fitted N95 masks, but their employer refused their request to be given the appropriate gear. Wilson says that she explained during a meeting in May that masks were not considered protective if they were not fitted, and that it was reasonable for her and her partner to refuse to transport a COVID-19 patient if they did not have proper protection.
Wilson and Melendez were fired in late May, and the company cited harassment as the reason for their termination. An attorney for Wilson says that neither she nor Melendez engaged in any harassing behavior.
If you or somebody you care about recently lost your job, and you believe you were wrongfully terminated, contact an attorney immediately. At The Kaufman Law Firm, our skilled and experienced attorneys will conduct a complete investigation into your case in an effort to uncover what happened and determine whether you are entitled to any compensation. We are regularly able to help clients recover the following:
When you need a Los Angeles wrongful termination attorney, you can contact us for a consultation by clicking here or calling us at 310-981-3404.
Your job is more than just a source of income. It is a major part of your lifestyle. If you have been the victim of wrongful termination, wrongful demotion or any kind of discriminatory business practices, it is time to take action and contact a Ventura employment law attorney that can help. Attorney Matthew A. Kaufman and the team at The Kaufman Law Firm bring experience and a vast arsenal of legal resources to help clients recover the money they deserve.
To learn more, contact our Westlake Village law office today and schedule an initial evaluation to discuss your case.