Man claims Manpower fired him following work injury

WINFIELD -- A Kanawha County man is suing over claims he was fired after being injured on the job.

Howard Osborne filed a lawsuit June 11 in Putnam Circuit Court against Manpower of WV Inc., citing wrongful termination.

According to the complaint, Osborne was hired July 8, by Manpower of WV to work for Nippon Industries as a cell line laborer at a plant in Frazier's Bottom. Osborne says he injured his back and groin on the job on Aug. 30, and when he approached the Nippon plant to discuss the submission of an accident report, a Manpower employee returned the call and told him it wasn't necessary.

According to the complaint, when Osborne attempted to discuss the payment of medical bills and work restriction Sept. 5, his employment was terminated. The defendant is accused of wrongful discrimination, wrongful termination and retaliatory discharge and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Osborne is seeking damages, reinstatement, back pay and costs of court.

He is being represented in the case by attorneys Robert H. Miller II and Shawn R. Romano of Romano & Associates PLLC in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Joseph Reeder.

Putnam Circuit Court Case No. 14-C-171