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DOL sues hotel that fired worker over carbon monoxide exposure

Posted On: Mar. 29, 2021 11:46 AM CST

DOL

The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the operators of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel in Waller, Texas, after a worker who sought treatment for carbon monoxide exposure in 2019 was fired, according to an announcement issued Friday.

The worker allegedly alerted their employer that exposure to carbon monoxide made them ill and asked the employer to call an ambulance. In addition to refusing the worker’s request, the employer allegedly threatened to terminate the employee. After going to the hospital, the worker was terminated, according to the announcement.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the incident, which resulted in the lawsuit against the operators of the hotel, All Seasons Hospitality and Investments LLC and its owner Tanvir Shahmohd, for allegedly violating the employee’s rights by terminating them for reporting unsafe working conditions and seeking medical care, according to the announcement.

The department’s suit asks the court to order the defendants to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s anti-retaliation provisions, reinstate the employee, expunge the employee’s personnel record and pay the employee back wages, interest, compensatory and punitive damages and other remedies.

The hotel company could not immediately be reached for comment.