CHICAGO — A Cook County man says his former employer assaulted him, allegedly in retaliation for starting a competitor trucking business.
Endrit Cela filed a lawsuit Feb. 8 in Cook County Circuit Court against Amarildo Tole, Efrem Inc. and Superfast Trucking Inc., alleging battery and vicarious liability.
According to the complaint, Cela worked for Tole's company, Efrem Inc., until September 2014, when he left to start his own trucking business. Sometime later, Cela claims Tole, an Efrem employee, called him, threatening violence if he didn’t stop interfering with the business interests of Efrem and Superfast by allegedly recruiting their employees, an allegation Cela denies.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2015, as Cela was leaving a restaurant in Chicago, the suit says Tole and two other men unknown to the plaintiff attacked him outside the business, repeatedly kicking, punching and hitting the plaintiff. Cela claims the assault caused pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of earning and earning capacity, disfigurement and other damages.
Cela seeks a jury trial and damages in excess of $50,000. He is represented by attorney Michael L. Teich of the Teich Law Office LLC in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court Case number 2016-L001305