Former Cook County Department of Transportation employee sues over firing

A former county employee is suing over allegations he was fired for seeking workers' compensation benefits.

Michael Roberts filed a lawsuit April 2 in the Cook County Circuit Court against the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways.

The complaint states Roberts was employed by the defendant and suffered a work injury on May 14, spurring him to report the injury and file applications for adjustment of his claim before the Illinois Industrial Commission.

Roberts alleges he was fired July 12, because he asserted his rights under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act.

He is seeking damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum, plus costs, and is being represented in the case by Cuda Law Offices.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L003718.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.