Friday, 27 August 2010 06:20

Former Assessor candidate Elias files claim against County for more than $10K

slide2-former_assessor_candidate_elias_files_claim_against_county_for_more_than_10k.pngAmador County – Former County Assessor candidate Jay Irene Elias has filed a claim against Amador County for more than $10,000, saying county officials erred by keeping her on involuntary leave after medical evaluations found her medically and psychiatrically fit to perform her duties. In a governmental tort claim received by Amador County on August 10, Elias says the County placed her “medical fitness-for-duty at issue” and “relied upon and apparently adopted in its entirety the fitness-for-duty report” of a psychiatrist who considered her “totally disabled from work for medical reasons.” She says County officials refused subsequent evaluations from two other doctors who determined her medically and physically fit to perform her job, including an opinion from her family doctor. She calls the original psychiatric examination “critically flawed” for a number of reasons, and says those findings “are not supportable by clinical testing and evaluation.” She names County officials who were the alleged decision makers in determining her inability to return to work, including County Assessor Jim Rooney, former County Administrative Officer Terri Daly and Undersheriff James Wegner. The amount claimed exceeds $10,000 and would be an unlimited civil case. Her claim says the amount is based on past lost wages, various benefits, attorney’s fees and “emotional distress damages.” When asked for comment, Elias refused. County officials were also unable to comment because of the claim’s status as “potential litigation,” but Deputy County Counsel Greg Gillott explained that a tort claim is “a prerequisite that’s been put in place before people can sue a public entity for most causes of action.” He said the County is in the process of addressing the claim, and that decision may or may not lead to litigation. Elias currently work’s in the County Assessor’s office. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.