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FLORIDA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Former employee alleges assault

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FORT LAUDERDALE — A Broward County woman is suing her former employer, alleging assault, battery, vicarious liability and violation of the Florida Whistleblower Act.

Maresha Westbrook filed a complaint March 9 in Broward Circuit Court against Centene Corporation, Aerotek Inc. and Polly Johnson, alleging failure to prevent an assault. 

According to the complaint, on July 7, 2017, Johnson lunged at Westbrook with intent to cause physical pain and offensive contact, causing Westbrook to hit her head against the wall. Wesbrook says she has suffered and continues to suffer economic damages and emotional distress, including lost earnings and benefits, anxiety, grief, humiliation and loss of self-esteem, as a result of Johnson's wrongful conduct. 

Additionally, the suit says, the other defendants retaliated against Westbrook by terminating her employment for her lawful complaints of unpaid overtime, race harassment and discrimination. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants refused to pay her for overtime work, terminated Westbrook for her complaints of discrimination and harassment, and intentionally inflicted harmful and offensive contact toward the plaintiff.

Westbrook seeks trial by jury, economic, general and non-economic damages of more than $15,000, attorney fees, interest, costs and fees of suit, and all relief the court deems proper. She is represented by attorney A. Andrew Obeidy of Obeidy & Associates PA in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward Circuit Court case number CACE-18-5610

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