Man says he was fired after job-related injury

CHARLESTON – A man is suing his former employer, claiming he was fired after being injured on the job.

Charles A. Hager filed a lawsuit May 27 in Kanawha Circuit Court against CH2M Hill and Mark Whittington.

Hager claims that on Nov. 6, 2008 he injured his knee at work. Hager says he reported the injury to his employer and filed a workers' compensation claim, which he says was approved.

On Dec. 29, 2008, Hager claims he underwent knee surgery and was absent from work during recovery.

According to the lawsuit, Hager returned to work on Feb. 23 when Whittington fired him.

Hager is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Edward G. Atkins is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge James Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-984