Man says employer disclosed drug test results to his family

CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County man is suing over claims he was fired and forced to vacate his rental home after his employer disclosed the alleged results of a private drug test to his family.

Eric Meadows filed a lawsuit Aug. 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Martins Top Shop LLC and George C. Martin, citing invasion of privacy.

According to the complaint, Meadows was required to a submit to a confidential drug test during his employment with Martins Top Shop LLC, owned by George Martin, from whom he and his wife also rented a mobile home, on Aug. 29, 2013.

The complaint states Meadows and Martin's nephew, also an employee, submitted to the tests, but Martin disclosed the alleged results of Meadows' test to his father-in-law, who contacted Meadows' wife. Meadows says after causing marital and familial problems, Martin fired him over the alleged results and forced the couple to vacate the mobile home.

According to the lawsuit, Meadows and his wife separated six months later, and when Meadows asked Martin's nephew about his drug test, the man admitted to failing but was not fired. The defendants are accused of invasion of privacy, disclosure of private facts and negligence.

Meadows is seeking punitive damages, compensation for the damage to his reputation and attorney fee costs. He is being represented in the case by attorney Richard E. Hardison Jr. in Beckley.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1585