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COOK COUNTY RECORD

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Plaintiff Antoine Jones alleges Mapei U.S.A. Corp., former employer, of Disability Discrimination

Federal Court
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Antoine Jones has filed a lawsuit against Mapei U.S.A. Corp., alleging discrimination and retaliation based on his disability and medical leave rights. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on October 31, 2024, targeting Mapei U.S.A. Corp.

The case centers around allegations that Mapei U.S.A. Corp. violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Antoine Jones, who began working as a Material Handler for the company in 2017, claims he faced discrimination after undergoing surgery for a pinched nerve, which resulted in ongoing dexterity and mobility issues in his right hand. According to Jones, despite being medically cleared to return to work with a minor lifting restriction on his right side, Mapei refused to accommodate this condition and ultimately terminated his employment without notification.

Jones's complaint details how he was initially approved for FMLA leave starting December 2023 for surgery but encountered resistance from Mapei upon attempting to return to work in March 2024. He asserts that Mapei's HR representative Giuliana Lumia informed him that his job required independent lifting of up to 55 pounds, which they claimed could not be accommodated under his restrictions—even though Jones argued he could meet this requirement using his left side. Despite providing an updated doctor's note confirming his ability to lift independently by April 29, 2024, Jones received no response from the company regarding his employment status until July when he learned of his termination.

Jones accuses Mapei of failing to engage in an interactive process to find reasonable accommodations for his disability and retaliating against him for exercising his FMLA rights. He alleges these actions constitute willful violations of both ADA and FMLA protections against discrimination and retaliation.

In seeking redress from the court, Jones requests various forms of relief including back pay with interest, compensatory and punitive damages, loss of benefits compensation, attorney fees, and any other appropriate relief deemed just by the court.

The legal representation for Antoine Jones is provided by Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while the case is presided over under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11241 at the Northern District of Illinois court.

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