Woman sues former employer for wrongful termination

CHARLESTON – A former employee is suing Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc., after she claims she was wrongfully terminated based on her disability.

Stacy Thompson was employed by the defendant for approximately four months until her termination on July 5, according to a complaint filed Aug. 4 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Thompson claims her employment was terminated in whole or in part because of her disability and/or perceived disability and/or the defendant's failure to accommodate her disability.

Prior to July 1, Thompson informed the defendant that she would be undergoing surgery on July 1, according to the suit.

Thompson claims the defendant did not object to the surgery and that she also informed them that she would be unable to work from July 1 to July 5 and that she would return on July 6.

On July 5, while recuperating from surgery, while medicated and while still having staples in her body from the surgery, the defendant terminated Thompson's employment, according to the suit.

Thompson claims the defendant's actions were willful, wanton and/or undertaken with reckless disregard and/or reckless indifference to her rights.

The defendant's actions also violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.

Thompson is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Mark A. Atkinson.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-1290