TAMPA — A former employee is suing Staples The Office Superstore LLC d/b/a Staples Inc., an office supply store, citing alleged violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Norma Diaz filed a complaint on Oct. 14, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Staples The Office Superstore LLC d/b/a Staples Inc. alleging that the office supply store violated the rights of the employee to family and medical leave.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, in May 2007, she started working for the defendant, yet at all times, she suffered from a medical condition that qualified as a serious health condition. The plaintiff then applied and submitted medical documentation to support her FMLA leave. Although she was granted leave, in February, her employment was terminated as retaliation for engaging in protected activity under the FMLA, thereby causing plaintiff to suffer emotional and monetary injuries. The plaintiff holds Staples The Office Superstore LLC d/b/a Staples Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly terminated employment of plaintiff without concrete and legal basis and caused plaintiff to suffer as a result of its unfair business practices.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant, damages, injunction restraining continued violation, compensation for lost wages, benefits and other remuneration, reinstatement to a comparable position with back pay, interest and benefits, front pay, costs, attorney's fees and further relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Brandon J. Hill of Wenzel Fenton Cabassa PA in Tampa.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Case number 8:16-cv-02928