Lawsuit: Torrington employer made life miserable for Las Vegas shooting survivor

A lawsuit from a survivor of the Las Vegas mass shooting claims a Torrington company made his life miserable following his revelation that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

News 12 Staff

Apr 5, 2019, 7:08 PM

Updated 2,019 days ago

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Lawsuit: Torrington employer made life miserable for Las Vegas shooting survivor
A lawsuit from a survivor of the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting claims a Torrington company made his life miserable following his revelation that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
CJ Giampaolo and his attorney spoke to News 12 Connecticut today about the specifics of his lawsuit. Giampaolo wasn’t injured in the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, but his father-in-law was among the 58 people killed. Other family members there were also shot.  The 36-year-old created a human shield with his body, trying to cover his family members from gunshots.
 CJ Giampaolo's father-in-law was among the 58 killed in the mass shooting. Giampaolo now wears a wrist band in his father-in-law's memory and got a tattoo to pay tribute to him.
Giampaolo went back to work in Torrington within three weeks and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. His attorney says Giampaolo suffered from insomnia and nightmares, and had a panic attack at a work event with loud music and a large crowd. Attorney Amanda DeMatteis says Giampaolo immediately told his employer, Elevator Services Company, and that's when the company began a concerted campaign to push him out of his job.
The lawsuit filed against Elevator Services Company states a boss told Giampaolo to "suck it up." The lawsuit says the employer told him he was acting different and showing a bad attitude, and even mocked him for leaving work to attend therapy sessions. Giampaolo says he was demoted and saw his commissions reduced several times without explanation. DeMatteis says Giampaolo worked for the company for three years before the massacre and was a top sales manager.
The complaint alleges disability discrimination, a hostile work environment and retaliation for coming forward with accusations that he was being treated differently.
Giampaolo is asking for unspecified damages. Elevator Service Company declined to comment on the lawsuit.