A former employee is taking legal action against a painting company, alleging wrongful termination after filing for workers' compensation. Jamie Longwell filed the complaint on November 22, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, against Advanced Painting Contractors, Inc.
According to the lawsuit, Jamie Longwell was employed by Advanced Painting Contractors and sustained an injury on April 10, 2021. The incident occurred while Longwell was performing his duties, carrying heavy paint buckets into a room when he collided with an unfinished wall containing a sprinkler system. This accident resulted in an injury to his left arm and numbness in his right hand fingers. Despite promptly reporting the incident to his employer's representative, Longwell claims that his employment was terminated on October 13, 2021, while he was still recovering from his injuries.
Longwell believes that his termination was directly linked to his decision to file a valid claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits against Advanced Painting Contractors. The plaintiff argues that this action by the defendant violates Florida Statute 440.205, which prohibits employers from discharging or threatening employees due to their pursuit of workers' compensation claims. The statute clearly states: "No employer shall discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any employee by reason of such employee’s valid claim for compensation or attempt to claim compensation under the Workers’ Compensation Law."
The complaint further accuses Advanced Painting Contractors of acting willfully and wantonly without regard for Longwell's rights. As a result of these alleged actions by the defendant, Longwell asserts that he has suffered both economic and emotional damages. Consequently, he is seeking judgment for damages exceeding $50,000 along with costs against Advanced Painting Contractors and demands a trial by jury.
Representing Jamie Longwell is attorney Jonathan I. Rotstein from Rotstein, Shiffman & Broderick LLP based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Case ID is: 502024CA011169XXXAMB.