Logan County woman claims racial discrimination

CHARLESTON – A Logan County woman says a hair care salon company refused to even give her a job application because she is black.

In a lawsuit filed Jan. 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court, Sabrina Osborne sues Walter Hall individually and dba Cost Cutters Family Hair Care, and Hairco Inc.

Osborne claims the Cost Cutters Family Hair Care at the Logan Wal-Mart was looking to hire one or more hairstylists in July 2004. That Cost Cutters location is owned by Hall, who lives in Pikeville, Ky.

Being qualified for the job, Osborne says she went to get an application.

"It was represented to her at that time that they had no applications available," she claims in the suit, filed by attorneys Michael J. Del Giudice and Jason C. Workman. "She continued to seek an application from the defendants on several occasions throughout that week, however, was continuously told that no applications were available."

However, Osborne alleges the "defendants did have applications available and told the plaintiff that there were none and prevented her from even applying for employment merely because she is a African-American."

And Osborne says hers isn't an isolated incident.

She claims she and other African-Americans have been denied employment and denied the right to apply for employment by the defendants. She does not elaborate in the suit.

Osborne claims she has suffered past and future lost wages and benefits as well as past and future emotional distress and mental anguish.

She seeks compensatory damages, court costs, attorney fees and other relief.

Osborne also sues for punitive damages because she says the defendants' acts are intentional, willful, wanton and with reckless disregard for the civil rights of her and others.

Also, she requests a Cease and Desist Order enjoining the defendants from continuing to discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race.

Osborne requests a jury trial.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Charlie King.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 06-C-108