Alexandria amputee wins settlement with utility

Rick Hinrichs lost half of his right leg in February 2010. He lost his job 10 months later.

A Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigation found probable cause that Alexandria Light and Power, also known as ALP Utilities, discriminated against Hinrichs based on his disability. The 63-year-old from Alexandria will receive $65,000 in a settlement announced Tuesday.

Hinrichs was a network administrator and marketing director for ALP. He said an infection forced him to have his right leg amputated below the knee. Coworkers supported him through his months away from work, even bringing him pizza a few times.

But when he returned to work in May 2010, Hinrichs said his boss had added new responsibilities to his job description, including climbing ladders, lifting heavy weights and crawling through tight spaces.

Hinrichs said his boss also tried to force him to quit. In December, Hinrichs left. He says he was fired; the company says he resigned.

A Minnesota Department of Human Rights investigation found probable cause that ALP Utilities discriminated against Hinrichs based on his disability. He'll receive $65,000 in a settlement announced Tuesday.

"It made a world of difference," he said. "It showed me that there was wrong in what happened to me, even though they wouldn't admit it," Hinrichs said.

Minnesota Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey said Hinrichs is unlike many of the people who bring complaints to the department - he has an attorney. Lindsey said filing a complaint with his department is a good alternative for people who don't want or can't afford a long legal battle with their employer.

Between 60 and 65 percent of all complaints filed with the department involve employment, Lindsey said. Alleged discrimination based on disability makes up the largest part of that category.

An attorney for ALP, Patricia Beety said in an email that the utility's insurance provider will pay Hinrichs. The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust decided to negotiate the settlement after a risk management analysis, she said.

Alexandria Light and Power did not admit wrongdoing.

"Resolving this matter at this time does not change our position, however a settlement allows the parties to move forward more positively," Beety wrote.

Lindsey said the Human Rights department has become more efficient in recent years. It decided to investigate slightly more than 900 cases this year, almost as many as it investigated from 2007 to 2010.

The department plans to ask Gov. Mark Dayton for additional funding to speed up its reconciliation process. Lindsey said he doesn't yet know how much money the department will request.

Hinrichs said he wants to encourage other people who experience discrimination because of their disabilities to come forward.

"I believe there's a lot of people out there like me," he said. "I want to be able to tell people out there that they can get help."