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FLORIDA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Michael's accused of terminating man because of impairment

Discrimination 13

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MIAMI – A store manager is suing a craft store chain over claims he was terminated because he has a hearing impairment.

Michael Argott filed a complaint on May 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Michael's Store Inc. alleging that the former employer allegedly violated the Florida Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that during an April 17, 2015, meeting, his immediate supervisor told him that employees were complaining about his use of a hearing device and that he spoke to them loudly. The next day, he alleges he wrote to human resources about the meeting and explained his need to use the device. One week later, and allegedly without allowing him the opportunity to correct any of the additional issues addressed during the meeting, the suit states he was fired.

The plaintiff holds Michael's Store Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to engaged in an interactive process to allow him address his impairment, willfully disregarded his ADA rights and terminated his employment because of his disability and need for a job accommodation.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensation for back pay, front pay or reinstatement, damages, punitive damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, costs and any other relief that the court deems just and equitable. He is represented by Gina Marie Cadogan of Cadogan Law in Plantation.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Case number 9:16-cv-80723

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