Dental assistant files wrongful termination suit against Pennsylvania county

Stacey Poole, a dental assistant who worked in Allegheny County, Penn., has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the county, according to a Nov. 7 report by Pennsylvania Record.

The suit states that Ms. Poole, who has a preexisting history of blood clotting disorders, was terminated after claiming a medical condition for opting out of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Allegheny County issued a mandate that all county employees had to receive the vaccine by Dec. 1, 2021, or be terminated from their position. 

When Ms. Poole's medical exemption was denied, she asked for reasonable accommodations in place of the vaccination, including personal protective equipment, social distancing and weekly testing.

Ms. Poole is seeking compensatory damages, including lost wages, employment benefits, back pay, interest and reinstatement.

The suit was filed Oct. 24 against Allegheny County and Rich Fitzgerald, the county executive.

The county said they do not comment on legal matters or lawsuits when Becker's reached out for comment.

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