Charles Harris, a former employee of CRRC Sifang America Incorporated, has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, alleging retaliatory discharge following a workplace injury. The complaint was filed on March 31, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. Harris claims that he was unjustly terminated after exercising his rights under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act.
The case centers around an incident on January 19, 2024, when Harris sustained serious injuries to his right hand and arm while working as an electrical technician for CRRC Sifang America Incorporated. Despite fulfilling his job duties to legitimate expectations prior to the incident, Harris's employment was terminated on February 5, 2024. The defendant cited failure to report absences from work as the reason for termination. However, Harris argues that this reasoning is pretextual since he had not been medically cleared to return to work by his healthcare providers at the time of termination.
Harris's complaint highlights conflicting medical advice received post-injury. Initially treated at Concerta Urgent Care upon the defendant's recommendation, Dr. Willie F. Stewart advised that Harris could resume modified work activities shortly after the injury and full activities soon thereafter. Contrarily, medical professionals at Associated Medical Centers of Illinois advised against returning to work due to ongoing recovery needs.
In Count I of the complaint, Harris accuses CRRC Sifang America Incorporated of retaliatory discharge in violation of public policy and specific provisions under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (820 ILCS 305/4(h)). This statute prohibits employers from discharging or discriminating against employees for exercising their workers' compensation rights.
Harris seeks various forms of relief from the court: compensation for lost earnings and benefits due to retaliatory discharge; damages incurred as a result; reimbursement for litigation costs including witness fees and court costs; punitive damages; and both pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. Additionally, he demands a jury trial on all triable issues.
Representing Charles Harris is attorney David B. Levin from the Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C., located in Northbrook, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case No.: 2025L004416 in Calendar U within Cook County’s Circuit Court system.