A Collier County man says he was wrongfully terminated by GEICO for using FMLA benefits.
Jevaughn Barnes filed his lawsuit in federal court against GEICO General Insurance Company.
According to the complaint, Barnes worked for GEICO from February 2017 until August 8, 2023.
In November 2022 while working as an adjuster assessing damaged vehicles, Barnes says he injured his knee and suffered a torn right meniscus. Following his injury, he says GEICO approved him to continue in his position on a work-from-home basis.
In December 2022, Barnes says his position was changed to Virtual Supplement Adjuster, a permanent work-from-home role. However, due to the severity of his injury, Barnes says he required surgical repair and was approved for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act from February 23 to May 17, 2023.
Upon returning to work in May 2023, Barnes says he began receiving supplements to adjust and was ranked based on productivity and reinspection adequacy. Despite improving his ranking from 40th out of 170 Virtual Claims Adjusters nationwide in June to 18th in July, Barnes was informed of his termination July 31.
Barnes claims he was fired due to failing productivity requirements during the period he was out on FMLA leave. He claims this is retaliation for using his FMLA benefits. He seeks compensatory damages.