Former employee sues Sears

HUNTINGTON - A former installation manager at a Cabell County Sears has filed suit against the company, claiming his termination was planned in retaliation for reports he filled out.

David E. Adkins filed the lawsuit May 10 in Cabell Circuit Court. He is representing himself.

"Throughout the… several months prior to the plaintiff's termination, various violations of policies and laws were noted and reported by the plaintiff to the Vice President of Installation, National Director of Installation and the Human Resource Department," the complaint says.

"It is the plaintiff's belief that his supervisor had a personal vendetta against him ever since he became the plaintiff's supervisor several months prior to plaintiff's termination."

Adkins was fired July 28 after more than five years at Sears. He claims his supervisors began criticizing his work in an attempt to force him to resign.

He adds that his supervisor made "several degrading phone calls" to him while other employees were listening.

"In a time shortly before his termination, Plaintiff had experienced various health problems such as depression and anxiety," the complaint says. "Due to stress caused by Plaintiff's termination, he has also had marital and family problems."

Adkins is seeking $534,050 for lost wages, lost benefits, compensation for aggravation, court costs and punitive damages.

Judge John L. Cummings has been assigned the case.

Cabell Circuit Court case number 06-C-335