Caesars Entertainment faces disability lawsuit in New Jersey

Former employee claims the betting giant violated Americans with Disabilities Act.

Caesars Entertainment has been slammed with a lawsuit after one of its former employees accused the gaming giant of neglecting, and thereby exacerbating, his disability. The cashier had requested a more suitable chair to ease the pain stemming from his severely arthritic back, but it was a request that fell on deaf ears. 

Plaintiff Joseph Pugliese – who was employed at Caesars subsidiary William Hill in Oceanport, NJ – claimed to a US District Court of New Jersey judge that his employer had violated the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). 

Pugliese had been hired in October 2020 but had to leave the job only three months later after experiencing “intolerable pain.” 

The court heard of the adverse effect his condition had on his life: the arthritis encumbers his ability to do quotidian tasks, such as walking and sitting for extended periods.  

In his capacity as a cashier, Pugliese had to sit for an extended period, but the chair provided by Caesars was too “uncomfortable…causing him severe pain to his back.” 

Upon requesting a more suitable chair, his employers disregarded him, explaining that “they would have to expend several thousands of dollars to give new chairs to all their staff.” 

Thus, Pugliese was compelled to resign on January 6, 2021.  

It was, he believes, a resignation that qualifies as ‘constructive discharge’ under the ADA. In light of this, he is seeking the prohibition of such discrimination, punitive damages, and reimbursement for pay missed as a result of the matter. 

At the time of his employment, the sportsbook had been the British-run William Hill, but it was later to be rebranded Caesars Sportsbook after the latter company acquired it for $4bn in April.  

Cameron Saunders

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