MADISON – Two former employees are suing Patriot Coal after they claim they were wrongfully discharged from their employment.
Patriot Coal Corporation; Patriot Coal Holdings I LLC; Patriot Coal Holdings II LLC; Patriot Coal Sales LLC; Patriot Coal Services LLC; Gateway Eagle Coal Company LLC; Greg Dotson; and Colin Milam were all named as defendants in the suits.
Brian Lee Cook and Wenden Shane Hager were employed with Patriot Coal for several years when they were discharged on Jan. 2, according to two complaints filed in Boone Circuit Court.
The plaintiffs claim they suffered lost wages and benefits as a result of the wrongful termination.
As a direct result of the defendants' actions, the plaintiffs are entitled to damages for indignity, embarrassment and humiliation, according to the suits.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants' actions were willful, wanton and/or undertaken with reckless disregard and/or reckless indifference to their rights.
The defendants' actions were willful and malicious, according to the suits.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. They are being represented by Mark A. Atkinson of Atkinson & Polak PLLC; and Harry M. Hatfield of Hatfield & Hatfield PLLC.
Boone Circuit Court case number: 15-C-36, 15-C-37
