Woman says she was fired over pregnancy leave

BECKLEY – A Raleigh County woman is suing her former employer after she allegedly was fired due to her extended pregnancy leave.

Valerie Dawn Walker filed suit Nov. 11, 2014, in Raleigh Circuit Court against Community Health Systems Inc.

According to the complaint, Walker learned she was pregnant in January 2013, and on June 28, 2013, she was ordered placed on bed rest, due to complications from her pregnancy. Walker delivered her baby via Caesarean section on Sept, 14, 2013, the suits states, and during the period of leave the plaintiff used her paid leave in addition to time off via the Family and Medical Leave Act. She was scheduled to return after Oct. 7, 2014, when her FMLA time ran out, according to the suit.

However, Walker alleges she was terminated before Oct. 7, and her former employer violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act.

Walker seeks back pay and benefits. She is represented by attorneys Stephen Farmer and Matthew Nelson of Farmer, Cline & Campbell in Morgantown.

Raleigh County Circuit Court case number: 14-C-1071-K