A Florida man has taken legal action against a company, alleging it wrongfully interfered with his employment opportunities due to a past workers' compensation claim. Garett Springer filed a class-action complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County on December 4, 2024, targeting FrankCrum, Inc., and Frank Winston Crum Insurance Company.
Springer, representing himself and others in similar situations, accuses the defendants of intentionally interfering with his employment prospects after he filed for workers' compensation benefits following an injury at work in 2021. According to the complaint, Springer was offered a job as a solar installer with Brilliant Harvest in Sarasota on November 15, 2024. However, shortly after starting on November 18, he was informed by Brilliant Harvest's management that they could not employ him due to threats from the defendants to terminate their workers' compensation coverage if they hired him. This alleged interference forms the basis of Springer's claims against FrankCrum and its associated insurance company.
The lawsuit highlights potential violations of Florida's workers' compensation laws which prohibit retaliatory actions against employees who seek benefits. The plaintiff argues that the defendants’ actions were intentional and without legal justification, aiming to punish those who pursued rightful claims under workers' compensation laws. The case also raises broader questions about whether other employees have faced similar blackballing tactics from these companies when seeking new employment after filing for such benefits.
Springer seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for lost wages and emotional distress resulting from this alleged interference. Additionally, he requests injunctive relief to prevent future occurrences of such practices by the defendants. By filing this class-action suit under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.220(b)(1)(A), Springer aims to represent potentially hundreds of affected individuals who may have experienced similar retaliation and interference regarding their employment opportunities.
The legal proceedings are spearheaded by Ronald W. Fraley from The Fraley Firm P.A., based in Tampa, Florida. The case is presided over by judges within the jurisdiction of Pinellas County’s Circuit Court under Case Number: 24-005286-CI.