Former hostess sues nightclub for hearing loss
A former hostess at the Lavo nightclub in Manhattan claims in a lawsuit that she suffered hearing loss as a result of its loud dance music.
Margaret Clemente, who goes by the name Alexis, says she learned of hearing loss in her right ear after the New York Times tested noise levels at the club one night and found they averaged 96 decibels. The New York Times and the New York Post have stories on the suit.
One-third of 37 clubs, gyms and other businesses tested by the Times had near dangerous noise levels. After publication of the article, Lavo provided hearing tests and ear plugs for its employees. But Clemente claims the club refused her request to place her near the door and away from the noise, and ended up firing her, the Times says. The Post, on the other hand, cites allegations that Clemente stopped working at Lavo after bosses began acting out against her due to the hearing disability.
Clemente earned $42 an hour at Lavo and $500 a night in tips, the Post says.
David Jaroslawicz, a lawyer who represents Lavo in other matters, told the Times that Clemente was offered “numerous” positions at the club. “This unfortunately deteriorated to where she decided she was going to take a shot and buy a lottery ticket in the form of a lawsuit,” he said.
