UPS faces suit accusing it of firing driver for seeking workers' comp benefits

A man is suing over claims he was fired from his job as a driver for UPS after filing for workers' compensation benefits.

Thomas Sutter filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in Cook County Circuit Court against United Parcel Service Inc., alleging retaliatory discharge.

According to the complaint, Sutter was employed as a driver for UPS when he experienced a work-related neck injury in early 2013. After Sutter's doctor released him back to work on May 28, 2013, he claims UPS refused to take him back but did not fire him.

Sutter alleges that in July 2013, he filed for an adjustment of claim for the neck injury and a 2010 wrist injury. UPS, the suit states, fought these claims and fired him on June 5 for "job abandonment," even though Sutter claims he tried to return to work but UPS would not let him.

Sutter is seeking more than $50,000 in damages, plus costs, and is represented by attorney Julie O. Herrera of Law Office of Julie O. Herrera in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L010426.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in 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.