Mountaire Farms, a poultry processor, is urging the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals not to overturn a district court’s decision to dismiss a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former employee, according to recent court filings.
In 2020, Anthony Vines brought a lawsuit against Mountaire Farms, claiming that he was fired for reporting a hazardous work environment. Mountaire countered, stating that Vines was terminated due to excessive unexcused absences. Vines argued that his absences were a result of peripheral neuropathy, and he also claimed to have developed sciatic nerve pain due to an injury sustained while working at Mountaire.
Despite North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health imposing a fine of nearly $5,000 on the facility following a complaint filed by Vines, the district court sided with Mountaire and dismissed the lawsuit in March. The court cited a lack of evidence linking the reported hazards to Vines’ termination.
Following the dismissal, Vines filed an appeal in April, and Mountaire Farms has now filed a brief with the appeals court, requesting the decision to uphold the dismissal. The case highlights the complex interplay between workplace safety concerns, health conditions, and termination decisions in the context of employment disputes.
