DPW Worker Loses His Leg. Now He Is Suing For Being Fired In Somerset County

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A former Department of Public Works(DPW) employee whose leg was amputated following a motorcycle crash has filed a lawsuit against Branchburg Township, claiming he was fired because of his disability.

Alex Dzyak of Hopelawn filed the lawsuit in Somerset County Superior Court on June 17, claiming the Township violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

Dzyak was hired by the Township as a laborer/operator for the DPW on Aug. 15, 2023.

In May 2025, Dzyak developed medical problems requiring him to take time off under the Family Medical Leave Act for treatment and recovery, according to the lawsuit.

He was scheduled to return to work on Aug. 15, 2025.

However, on July 13, 2025, Dzyak got into a serious motorcycle accident and had to have his left leg amputated, according to the lawsuit.

A GoFundMe set up by Dzyak's mother said he was rushed into surgery, "where the doctors made the heartbreaking decision to amputate part of Alex’s left leg as it was deemed necessary to save his life."

The fundraiser also stated Dzyak suffered a broken shoulder and arm, a partially collapsed lung, a broken upper leg needing a rod, and a severed thumb needing reconstruction.

The GoFundMe raised more than $13,000.

Dzyak requested more time off work for medical treatment.

In February, Dzyak requested an extension of medical leave, which the lawsuit says was denied by Branchburg Township.

Dzyak was cleared to return to work on March 15, without any medical restrictions, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims the Township required Dzyak to undergo a functional capacity examination before it would allow him to return to work.

"The evaluation indicated the plaintiff had the ability for medium-heavy category work with minimum restrictions and/or limitations," the lawsuit states.

On March 19, the Township told Dzyak "that based upon his medical disability as well as his need for reasonable accommodations in the workplace, they were refusing to permit him to return to work and/or otherwise terminating his employment," according to the lawsuit.

Dzyak's lawsuit claims that Branchburg's decision to "terminate his employment based on his disability was unlawful and a violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination."

The lawsuit claims Dzyak has suffered damages including economic damages, personal hardship, physical and emotional distress, harm to his professional reputation, severe emotional trauma, and anxiety.

Dzyak is looking to have a judge order Branchburg to reinstate his employment with full back pay and benefits, along with compensatory damages and punitive damages.

The Township has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit in court.

A request for comment from Patch to Branchburg was not immediately returned.

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