BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Bellingham company has paid thousands to a former employee after being accused of wrongfully terminating him and violating federal law on medical leave.

The U.S. Department of Labor says Mt. Baker Roofing violated requirements of the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act passed by President Bill Clinton, which entitles eligible employees to take job-protected leave for medical reasons.

The employee had a serious health condition (which the Department neglected to specify), but they say Mt. Baker Roofing did not offer him FMLA leave which he was entitled to.

After an investigation by the Wage and Hour Division of Seattle, the company has been forced to pay the employee more than $63,000 for lost wages, medical insurance costs and liquidation damages.