Man accuses mine company of retaliatory behavior

BECKLEY — A Raleigh County man filed suit in February against a Utah-based mining company for alleged employment law infringement.

Daniel R. Price brought a lawsuit against Dover Corp., doing business as U.S. Synthetic Mining Energy LLC, on Feb. 6 in Raleigh Circuit Court, claiming unlawful employment practices and wrongful termination.

The suit states that Price, hired by the defendant in September 2013, served as regional sales manager, earning about $70,000 annually. He suffered a shoulder injury in November 2014 and filed a workers’ compensation claim, which would allow him to continue to work with modifications.

According to the complaint, Dover attempted on two occasions to have him resign for a $7,000 sum. The plaintiff alleges that the company willfully attempted to influence him in an attempt to discourage him from filing his claim, causing him emotional distress. Additionally, he was fired on Feb. 6 despite no absences from work.

Price alleges that the company’s actions were in direct response to his benefits claim. Citing a hostile work environment and violation of employment law, lost wages, anxiety and distress, he seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.

The plaintiff is represented by Anthony Salvatore of Hewitt & Salvatore in Fayetteville.

Raleigh Circuit Court, case no. 15-C-135-H