Worker sues employer for two-time termination

WINFIELD – A Putnam County man has sued his employer for alleged discriminatory actions.

Termaine Bateman of Putnam County filed a lawsuit Feb. 5 against International Fiber Corporation in Putnam Circuit Court, alleging wrongful termination.

According to the complaint, Bateman was employed by International Fiber from March 2010 until May 2011, during which time he suffered an on-the-job injury, underwent two knee surgeries and filed a worker’s compensation claim.

The suit states Bateman’s supervisors said he was committing fraud by supposedly filing a non-work related claim, placed him on unpaid suspension and fired him May 24, 2011. Bateman filed suit and settled the matter Oct. 2, 2012. The plaintiff and the defendant then entered into a new employment contract, the lawsuit says, and Bateman was terminated a second time Jan. 5, 2015, in retaliation.

Bateman alleges distress and seeks damages for lost wages and benefits, plus attorney fees and costs. He is represented by attorneys  and John-Mark Atkinson of Atkinson & Polak in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Phillip M. Stowers.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 15-C-26