A former lab technician is suing the Florida company that produced a vitamin and mineral compound blamed for killing 21 polo horses in April on grounds that she lost her job after cooperating with authorities investigating the deaths.

The horses died after receiving a selenium, vitamin B, and potassium compound prepared by Franck’s Lab, Inc. State animal health authorities determined the compound contained levels of selenium toxic to horses (read more).  

Shortly after the incident, Franck’s Lab Inc. Chief Operations Officer Jennifer Beckett said in a statement the company would cooperate with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other investigators.

In a complaint filed in Marion County Circuit Court last month, Sheila Harris, the technician who mixed the compound, alleges she was unlawfully terminated because she cooperated with FDA investigators. She seeks reinstatement, benefits, lost wages, and compensatory damages