GOMPERS FIRM WINS $70,000.00 IN BACK PAY AND ATTORNEY FEES FOR WRONGFULLY SUSPENDED STATE WORKER. IN THE CASE OF CRUZ V. ANCORA PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.

The Gompers Firm won reinstatement and back pay for suspended Ancora State Hospital worker, Jeanette Cruz. The Court also awarded approximately $70,000.00 in attorney fees to the Gompers Firm for its representation of Ms. Cruz. Ancora Hospital suspended Ms. Cruz based on specious allegations that she had been neglectful in her duty to conduct environmental checks and bedroom checks for over 30 patients during an overtime night shift. The Gompers Firm produced evidence that Ms. Cruz was working on a short shift and was actually performing the functions of 3 ½ separate people. Gompers remarked to the Court that the charges were equivalent to demanding that an employee run a 4 minute mile and then faulting her because she finished in 4 minutes and 1 second.

The Court agreed with Gompers that Ms. Cruz was not neglectful and was exemplary and thus reinstated her with back pay, back benefits and attorney fees.