Woman Fired From Saginaw Hospital Over Medical Leave Awarded More Than $500,000

BAY CITY, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - A jury has awarded a woman more than $500,000 after agreeing that her 2014 firing from a Saginaw hospital was for taking medical leave and a form of discrimination.

The jury in U.S. District Court in Bay City on Friday found Covenant Medical Center in violation of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, The Bay City Times reported. Covenant also is responsible for attorney fees.

Amanda Perry, who had had a history of psychiatric diagnoses, worked as a biller and office coordinator.

Covenant spokesman Larry Daly says the hospital is "very disappointed" in the outcome of the case. He says the hospital acted "fairly" and she lost her job because she couldn't perform her duties. An appeal is planned.

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