Johnathan Gomez has filed suit against Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune’s business Better Brands. Better Brands is the leading beer distributor in Horry County. Estimates value the firm worth more than $100 million.
The lawsuit claims that in November of 2020, Gomez was hurt on the job while working for the company in the loading department. In the complaint, Gomez claims he went to a doctor, who diagnosed him with the injury and provided him with work restrictions.
Gomez informed Better Brands management of his injuries. Gomez then filed for workers compensation.
Gomez was fired on Nov. 24th “in direct retaliation for filing a workers compensation claim,” according to the lawsuit.
In his lawsuit Gomez is pursuing Better Brands management for negligence. The lawsuit states the company’s “carelessness and negligence” caused “physical injuries, severe psychological injuries, including, but not limited to, embarrassment, humiliation, ostracism by friends, anxiety, grief, emotional distress, physical stress and other psychological injuries.”
Bethune Inherited Better Brands
In defense of Mayor Bethune, she inherited the firm built by her father. Spud Spadoni founded, managed and built the organization beginning in 1965. Brenda Bethune was not Spadoni’s first choice to inherit the distributorship, however, she became the only heir with the death of her brother.
Bethune admits she does not work in the firm day to day. A caretaker management team is in place to run the operation for her.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS FILED BY GOMEZ
Jonathan Gomez v Better Brands Lawsuit by MyrtleBeachSC news on Scribd