After being shot while closing up shop, employee claims he was fired for hiring attorney to procure worker’s comp
Lee Canant used to be the manager of the Car Care Clinic in Jackson, Mississippi until he was fired last month. Mr. Canant claims he was fired because he hired an attorney after the business refused to file a claim for worker’s compensation for injuries he sustained from a gunshot in an attempted robbery last year. As WJTV News Channel 12 reports, Canant thinks his firing is entirely unfair.
It was last November that a gunman approached Canant as he was closing up the business for the day. 16 WAPT News says that the gunman demanded cash but when Canant had nothing to give him, the criminal got angry and shot Canant in his hand and into his side before running off. The worker was then taken to a local hospital and went into surgery. Because of the shooting, Canant hasn’t been able to work. He says that Car Care Clinic wanted to pay him eights weeks worth of salary and $5,000 to cover medical costs, but didn’t want to turn it over to an insurance company for worker’s comp. This was an unsatisfactory option in Canant’s mind. He told WJTV, "There are a lot of us out there that do not have no false claims. You know, I've been with a company twenty something years and they want to turn around and fire you because you got a lawyer just to protect your rights."
Canant is going to let his attorney take control of the legal battle so he can focus on his recovery. He told the station that he’s doing better, but “I still have a long ways to go.” The station did not mention if they asked Car Care Clinic for their side of the story.
More info: WJTV
