HELPING DETER THE SPREAD OF COVID-19: REPRESENTING WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO ARE PROTECTING COWORKERS
In the fight against COVID-19, healthcare workers are the most vulnerable. They are on the front lines, bearing the brunt of this terrible disease. Many healthcare workers are now coming forward to speak out about inadequate protection and safeguards in the workplace. The Blake Horwitz Law Firm is doing its part to represent these brave whistleblowers. Our firm is the first in the country to file COVID-19 whistleblower cases.
One prominent example is that of nurse Lauri Mazurkiewicz. Lauri was a nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. As a nurse, Lauri has over a decade of experience treating infectious diseases. Because of this experience, Lauri knew that simple facemasks would not be enough to protect against COVID-19. Out of concern for her coworkers and her own health, Lauri sent an email to her supervisors and over fifty coworkers advising that safer and more effective N95 facemasks should be used. Lauri was fired the next day.
The Blake Horwitz Law Firm has filed a lawsuit against Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Lauri’s behalf, alleging retaliatory discharge and breach of the Illinois Whistleblower Act. Lauri’s story has been featured on numerous news outlets, including CBS, NBC, ABC, WGN, Univision, Telemundo, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Daily Herald, and others.
Lauri is not alone. The Blake Horwitz Law Firm is representing other individuals, including non-healthcare workers, who have been retaliated against for speaking out about COVID-19 safety concerns. If you have concerns about COVID-19 precautions in your workplace, do not hesitate to contact our firm.
