Man says Motel 6 fired him for filing workers' comp claim

CHARLESTON – A Kanawha County man is suing over claims he was terminated for filing workers' compensation claims.

Anthony Ferrebee filed a lawsuit Oct. 1 in Kanawha Circuit Court against G6 Hospitality, doing business as Motel 6, and Brian Sawyer, citing wrongful termination.

According to the complaint, Ferrebee filed a workers' compensation claim in early 2013 after he was poked by a needle in a trash bag while working at the defendant hotel but didn't miss any work after he visited the hospital.

Ferrebee says he filed another claim Aug. 27, 2013, after he fell down steps at the hotel while carrying materials. The complaint states these stairs were known to be dangerous as a customer had previously fallen and caution tape was put up around them.

Ferrebee says the tape was removed despite the steps not being fixed and he missed one week of work due to injuries to his back, neck and knee. The complaint states he ultimately required two surgeries and physical therapy.

Ferrebee says he returned to work on the hotel manager's advice that he could return on light duty, and the general manager, Sawyer, fired him the following day. Ferrebee alleges he was fired due to his workers' compensation claims and temporary disability.

The defendants are accused of wrongful termination and violating the West Virginia Human Rights Act by failing to reasonably accommodate disability. Ferrebee seeks compensatory and punitive damages and reinstatement.

He is represented by attorney Robert M. Bastress III of DiTrapano, Barrett, DiPiero, McGinley & Simmons in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charles E. King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1797