Man says he was fired because of his disability

KINGWOOD – A Preston County man is suing over claims he was fired due to his disability and that his employer failed to pay all wages owed.

Henry Metz filed a lawsuit Aug. 4 in Preston Circuit Court against Matthews International Corporation of Pittsburgh, citing breach of contract.

According to the complaint, Metz began employment with York Bronze Company in 1999, and in September 2013, the company, which had started operating as Matthews International Corporation, placed Metz on short-term disability for a debilitating seizure disorder.

The complaint states when his disability was exhausted on March 10, 2014, Metz was fired. Metz says he was not paid for unused vacation time and was denied the two years outlined in the employee equity incentive plan to exercise his stock options.

Matthews International is accused of violating the Wage Payment and Collection Act, breach of contract and violating the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

Metz is seeking more than $38,000 in damages, interest and attorney fees.

He is represented by attorney Andrew G. Meek of Hamstead, Williams & Shook in Morgantown. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Lawrance S. Miller Jr.

Preston Circuit Court case number 14-C-145