Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Fired Dealer After Night Shift Heart Attack

• EEOC says dealer fired after heart attack and medical leave
• Complaint alleges casino required full duty, no restrictions to return
• Agency seeks damages, policy changes, injunction, and jury trial

A dealer who suffered a heart attack during an overnight shift at the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore was fired unlawfully by casino management, according to an US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaint.

Quann Massey, 50, began working at the casino in December 2022 and was made a dealer in April 2023. But just days into his new role, he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized in cardiac intensive care, according to an EEOC lawsuit filed December 30 in the US District Court for the District of Maryland.

The EEOC says casino management and human resources were informed that Massey had suffered a heart attack, remained hospitalized, was scheduled for surgery, and needed medical leave. Massey also asked how his return to work would be handled, including whether “alternate schedules, work hours, and other job modifications and accommodations” might be available.

Not Informed of Firing

Instead, the complaint alleges, a table games manager told Massey that “he should not return to work if he had any medical restrictions.” Massey was removed from the work schedule and later told he could take six weeks of leave under company policy.

Despite this, the EEOC alleges that casino management internally decided to terminate Massey while he believed he was on approved medical leave. On May 11, 2023, the complaint claims that management discussed whether to contact him, but “it was decided, instead, to fire him.” A termination notice was issued the following day.

Massey wasn’t informed of his termination and only learned of it when he later asked about returning to work and light-duty options.

Management allegedly told Massey he “had to be able to work full duty with no restrictions” and wouldn’t be granted light duty because his condition wasn’t related to a workers’ compensation claim.

Retaliation

The EEOC alleges the casino violated the ADA by conditioning employment on the ability to work without restrictions, failing to engage in the required interactive process, and retaliating against Massey for asserting his rights.

“Employers must not discriminate against disabled workers by preventing their return from medical leave because they have disability-related restrictions,” said Debra Lawrence, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Philadelphia District Office.

Employers have a duty to engage in an interactive process to identify and provide reasonable accommodations,” Lawrence added. “The Commission is committed to enforcing the rights secured by the ADA and remedying unlawful retaliation and interference with those rights.”

The EEOC is seeking back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and court-ordered changes to the casino’s policies and practices, along with injunctive relief and a jury trial.