Author: Sarah Swatosh
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Amendment 3 Extends Protections to Medical Marijuana
Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 to the Missouri Constitution, which legalized recreational and medicinal marijuana in the state of Missouri. The amendment took effect on December 8, 2022. The amendment does not provide any employment rights to users of recreational marijuana. Missouri employers can still prohibit and take an adverse employment action on the basis…
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Swatosh files lawsuit on behalf of Medicare/Medicaid Whistleblower
On the morning of September 10, 2021, Plaintiff notified the County that its skilled nursing home (Oak Hill) had been engaging in Medicare/Medicaid fraud. Among other fraudulently submitted information, the County coded a patient as ambulatory. In reality, however, the patient was on his deathbed (and died soon after the false report). The same day…
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Lawsuit seeking justice for victim of age discrimination
On December 9, 2019, BCS fired Plaintiff and four other hospital executives, all of whom were over 40 years old. On that day they were told that their jobs had been “eliminated” as part of a company-wide reorganization. Soon afterword BCS did an about face and claimed that the jobs had not been eliminated. When…
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Missouri Protects Employers from COVID Liability
On July 7th, 2021, Missouri took another step to protect businesses, healthcare providers, and manufacturers (not employees) from COVID-19. Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 51 into law, protecting businesses, premises owners, and healthcare providers from personal injury suits arising from COVID-19 exposure unless plaintiff can show clear and convincing evidence that defendant’s reckless…
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Missouri Whistleblower Protection Act Does Not Protect
The Missouri legislature has passed the Whistleblower Protection Act (“WPA”). Despite the name, the lawsuit isn’t intended to protect you. The WPA serves as the sole and exclusive remedy for employees who report violations in Missouri. If the employer engages in retaliatory conduct, then the whistleblower must proceed according to the WPA. In terms of…
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Another Race Discrimination Lawsuit Against Laclede Gas
Swatosh filed a lawsuit against Laclede Gas for race discrimination and retaliation. Prior to his termination, Plaintiff worked for Laclede Gas for nearly 15 years. During this long tenure Plaintiff was an excellent employee with an unblemished work record. However, a few months prior to his termination, Plaintiff reported to Laclede Gas’ Attorney that he…
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Swatosh Sues Employers Who Refuse To Pay Their Employees
Plaintiff, a local cook/bartender/shift supervisor, regularly worked 50-60 hours a week yet Defendants failed and refused to pay Plaintiff his wages, as required by law. Additionally, soon after Plaintiff was hired by Defendants, Plaintiff learned that it is and was Defendants’ practice and policy of repackaging inferior liquor. Namely, when a bottle of premium alcohol…