Brown & Curry win appeal against nursing home operator in age discrimination case
Age Discrimination victim prevails in the 8th Circuit Court of AppealsThe Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today that Cynthia Thomas may proceed to trial in her claim of age discrimination against Heartland Employment Services, LLC, and her manager at the time, G. Dean Hagen. A link to the decision is here.Ms. Thomas worked for Heartland and Hagen travelling around the Kansas City, Mo., area developing business relationships with doctors and healthcare facilities in order to market Heartland’s nursing home and home-health services. Shortly after Hagen, who was under the age of 40, was hired, he participated in firing Ms. Thomas. Ms. Thomas had witnesses who testified in depositions that Hagen described her as the “old, short blonde girl” and that he also said that “older people don’t work as fast” and made other comments that he wanted some “fresh blood, younger employees.” Dan Curry, of Brown & Curry, argued that this evidence showed that her age contributed to Heartland and Hagen’s decision to fire her – and that they should therefore be held liable. The Court of Appeals ruled that Ms. Thomas should be able to proceed to trial.Brown & Curry are proud to win this case on behalf of Ms. Thomas and all victims of age discrimination and retaliation.