CLEARWATER — A maintenance worker is suing a Pinellas County business, alleging violation of workers compensation acts.
Jeffrey Phillips filed a complaint Nov. 12 in Pinellas Circuit Court against Gentile Group LLC and Michael Gentile, alleging his former employers violated the Fair Labor Standards Act.
According to the complaint, Phillips began working for Gentile Group in July. The suit says he worked in excess 40 hours per week for which he was not compensated at a rate of time and one half his regular hourly rate as required by FLSA. In addition, the lawsuit states Phillips was fired after injuring his back while carrying a king-size mattress.
The plaintiff alleges Gentile Group and Michael Gentile failed to pay overtime compensation for all overtime hours worked and retaliated against him and terminated his employment for seeking workers' compensation benefits.
Philips seeks trial by jury, damages that which exceed $15,000, exclusive of costs, front pay, back pay, attorney fees, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by attorney Hunter A. Higdon of Florin Gray Bouzas Owens LLC in Lutz.
Pinellas Circuit Court case number 18-7368-CI