Man accuses PracticeLink of wrongful termination

HINTON – A man is suing a Hinton business for allegedly wrongfully terminating his employment contract.

Patrick L. Rawlings filed a lawsuit Jan. 14 in Summers Circuit Court against PracticeLink, alleging violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act and the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act.

According to the complaint, Rawlings was employed by PracticeLink as the director human resources and while leaving work Oct. 20, 2013, he was assaulted. PracticeLink was aware Rawlings would be out of work for medical reasons, the suit states, and following medical treatment, Rawlings furnished a medical excuse covering his absence from Jan. 13, 2014 until Jan. 27, 2014. He alleges he was terminated Jan. 29, 2014.

PracticeLink willfully and maliciously terminated his employment, the suit states, causing Rawlings to sustain losses. Rawlings also alleges PracticeLink failed to pay him earned wages.

Rawlings is represented by attorney Valentina G. Wheeler of the Wheeler Law Firm in Charleston.

Summers County Circuit Court case number: 15-C-3