Mo. Whistleblower Claim Fails for Lack of Expert Testimony on Safety Violations

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A federal judge has awarded summary judgment to an employer accused of terminating an employee for reporting alleged safety violations, ruling that the employee failed to offer expert testimony or other evidence to support his claim of safety violations.

Judge Greg Kays of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri said in his July 12 order that while Missouri’s at-will employment doctrine is not absolute, plaintiff Bryon Fruits failed to show that he was protected by the state’s public policy exception for whistleblowers.

Fruits, a plumber by trade, was hired by defendant LS …