Putnam man says Suddenlink fired him after work injury

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

James Z. Childers filed a lawsuit Sept. 19 in Putnam Circuit Court against Universal Cable Holdings Inc., doing business as Suddenlink Communications, citing discrimination.

According to the complaint, Childers was injured while working for Suddenlink Communications at its Scott Depot and filed for workers' compensation, which he received. Childers says he was then unfairly terminated on May 30 because of his claim. The defendant is accused of discriminating against Childers because of his workers' compensation claim.

Childers is seeking back pay and employment benefits, reinstatement or front pay, damages and attorneys' fees.

He is being represented in the case by attorneys J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices in Charleston and G. Patrick Jacobs of Jacobs Law Offices in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip M. Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 14-C-253