CLEARWATER — A former employee is suing a Pinellas County dental service, alleging violation wrongful termination.
Denise Shuman filed a complaint June 1 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Alpha Dental Services Inc., alleging violation of the Florida Whistleblower Act.
According to the complaint, Shuman began working for Alpha Dental in April 2014. The suit says between December 2016 and Feb. 22, 2017, she filed a formal complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outlining several OSHA violations against the defendant.
Upon discovery of Shuman's complaint, Alpha Dental allegedly forced her to resign, berated her in front of co-workers and eventually terminated her employment as a retaliatory act. As a result, Shuman says she suffered adverse employment actions, loss of earnings, mental and emotional anguish, humiliation and inconvenience.
The plaintiff alleges Alpha Dental Services knowingly violated the Florida Whistleblower Act (FWA) in retaliation to employees partaking in protected activity under the FWA.
Shuman seeks trial by jury, damages in excess of $15,000, inductive relief and declaratory relief, plus reasonable attorney fees, court costs and interest. She is represented by attorney Donna L. Deconjna of John Bales Attorneys in Tampa.
Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 18CA3645 6/1