CHARLESTON - A Cabell County woman has filed a suit against her former employer, claiming she was fired because of a mental disability.
Jackie Hoppe, through Huntington attorney Dwight J. Staples, filed a suit Dec. 11 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Alcon Manufacturing LTD. and Alan Modliszewski.
Hoppe was employed by Alcon from Jan. 2, 2001, to March 15, 2006. In September 2005, Alcon became aware that Hoppe suffered from a mental impairment. Due to her disability, she was required to request time off from work.
According to the suit, Hoppe suffered from sleep deprivation, severe depression, attention deficit disorder, panic attacks, anxiety and other mental impairments.
Hoppe claims members of Alcon harassed her and treated her different due to her disability.
She was fired March 15, 2006.
Hoppe claims she has lost overtime compensation and substantial benefits because of the discrimination.
According to the suit, Hoppe seeks additional back wages, front pay, and anything else she would have received if she had not been fired. She also seeks compensatory and punitive damages for mental anguish.
The case has been assigned to Judge Irene Berger.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-2643