Department of Labor Files Suit Against Retirement Facility for Terminating Whistleblower for Reporting Bedbug Infestation

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a whistleblower and retaliation lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against S.E.M. Villa II Inc., a nonprofit corporation that operates S.E.M. Terrace, a retirement facility in Milford, Ohio. The lawsuit alleges that S.E.M Terrace violated the whistleblower provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 when it terminated a resident manager after he filed a complaint with the Clermont County General Health District regarding the ineffective handling of bedbugs at the retirement facility.

Nick Walters, OSHAs regional administrator in Chicago, stated:

“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is committed to protecting the rights of America’s workers who are penalized or terminated for filing complaints seeking to improve the safety and health of their work environment and those affected by it.”

In addition to requesting reinstatement and compensatory damages, the lawsuit is asking that all negative information related the employee’s termination be removed from his personnel record. The lawsuit is also seeking to permanently enjoin S.E.M. Vila II Inc. from violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and that a notice be posted so all employees know their rights under the act.

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive nationwide whistleblower practice representing employees who have been victims of retaliation.

Tagged: Occupational Safety and Health Act, Whistleblower Laws (Federal)