ST. LOUIS — A Birch Tree man is suing a railroad company, citing alleged breach of contract by denying family medical leave.
Nathanial Goodrich filed a complaint on May 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division against Union Pacific Railroad Co. alleging that the defendant violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Dec. 6, plaintiff notified the defendant in writing that he wanted to take FMLA bonding leave for the upcoming birth of his child. His child was born Dec. 21 and immediately notified the defendant and requested leave until Jan. 14. The plaintiff claims he complied with all of the requirements to qualify for the requested FMLA leave but was denied. As a result, Goodrich claims his employment record was damaged for three years with noncompensation for sick leave and could be used in conjunction with another discipline to discharge him.
The plaintiff holds Union Pacific Railroad responsible because the defendant allegedly denied bonding leave, interfered with the plaintiff's exercise of FMLA rights and harassed and discriminated plaintiff for pursuing his FMLA rights.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for any lost wages, benefits, interest, actual monetary losses, an amount equal to 12 weeks of salary, liquidated damages, attorney's fees, expenses incurred, and other relief to which the Court deems just and proper. He is represented by Steven L. Groves of Groves Powers LLC in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Eastern Division Case number 4:17-cv-01596