Wayne Co. couple sues care group for wrongful termination

HUNTINGTON -- A woman and her husband are suing Loved Ones In-Home Care after she claims she was wrongfully terminated from her employment.

Michael Alley and Donna Skeen, two employees of Loved Ones In-Home Care were also named as defendants in the suit.

On Feb. 6, 2009, Brenda Penley suffered an on-the-job injury when she twisted her knee and was placed on light work duty by her physician until March 2, 2009, according to a complaint filed Feb. 25 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Penley claims one week later, when she went to turn in her time sheet, she was told that Skeen needed to talk to her and not to leave, so she waited for more than three hours until Skeen was able to speak with her.

The conference took place with Alley and another co-worker in person and Skeen, who was over the telephone from the South Charleston business location, Penley was informed that Skeen "could not take the risk to have her work because of workers' compensation," according to the suit.

Penley claims Skeen then informed her that she was no longer permitted to return to work and terminated her employment in March 9, 2009.

The defendants retaliated against Penley for filing a workers' compensation claim by discharging her, according to the suit.

Penley and her husband, Bruce W. Penley, are seeking compensatory damages. They are being represented by Abraham J. Saad and J. Patrick L. Stephens.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David M. Pancake.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 11-C-100