Justice for Carpenter in Wrongful Termination
Susan Barker, 30.05.2010 00:33
On March 27, a jury in Josephine County awarded $30,000 to a carpenter who was fired after his employer discovered that he was infected with the Hepatitis C virus. The case is Cooper v. Woodruff Construction and Design, Inc., Josephine County Case No. 08-CV-1432.
Charels Cooper was fired by Woodruff Construction of Grants Pass in early 2008. The company claimed that Cooper was let go because of the downturn in the construction industry, but Cooper argued that he was fired after his co-workers found out that he was infected with Hepatitis C and refused to work with him. Cooper, 52, remained in good health and had not suffered any symptoms of illness. He filed claims for wrongful termination and discrimination based on perceived disability. The former Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator for the State of Oregon, Dr. Ann Shindo, testified about the social stigma associated with Hepatitis C, and offered the opinion that the only way to overcome the stigma is through public education.
Cooper was represented by Ashland attorney Carolyn Anderson of the law firm Anderson Bradley Krant.