Earthgrains sued after firing injured employee

BECKLEY -- A Raleigh County resident is suing after allegedly being wrongfully terminated from his employment.

Terrance Griffith filed a lawsuit Jan. 3 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Earthgrains Baking Companies Inc. and Stacey Sparks, citing violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act and West Virginia statute.

Griffith states he was employed by Earthgrains Baking Companies beginning Aug. 8, 2011, and was injured during the course of employment on Sept. 23, 2012. Griffith says he notified the defendants he could return to light duty work and was released to work with no restrictions on Oct. 24, 2012. However on Oct. 16, 2012, the plaintiff was terminated from his employment because of his disability and workers' compensation claim, according to the complaint.

The plaintiff is seeking backpay and benefits, compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs and reinstatement or front pay. He is being represented by attorney Anthony Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore PLLC and attorney Stephen P. New.

Raleigh Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-7-K.