WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Kidney Associates, her former supervisor and office manager for sexual harassment.

Charla Barrick worked in the office at Kidney Associates and claims Dr. Jonathan Zuniga, a nephrologist, sexually harassed her despite her making several complaints for him to stop, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Barrick claims when Zuniga became her supervisor he would call her over to look into a microscope with the pretense he was teaching her, then would touch her hair and brush against her body. Barrick claims he also would insister she come into an exam room with him so he could "teach her something," would make comments about her legs and told her she was "sexy and classy," among other things.

According to the suit, Zuniga had a pattern and practice of sexually harassing other female employees and patients at the practice. Barrick claims the office manager, Maria Zuniga, encouraged Dr. Zuniga to do this.

On July 1, 2007, Barrick resigned from her position with Kidney Associates due to emotional and mental distress she suffered as a result of the sexual harassment.

Barrick is suing for compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by J. Michael Ranson and Cynthia M. Ranson of Ranson Law Offices and Charles R. Webb from the Webb Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-925