West Virginia Record

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Hi-Lad Inc. after she claims her employment was wrongfully terminated.

Hi-Lad is doing business as Comfort Inn.

On May 8, Sheila Smith was seriously and permanently injured when she fell in one of the bathrooms in a guest room while performing her duties as a house keeper for the defendant, according to a complaint filed Aug. 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Smith claims the defendant terminated her employment due to her sustaining a compensable injury and receiving or eligible to receive temporary total disability benefits, in violation of West Virginia code.

The defendant discriminated against Smith for her receipt of or attempt to receive workers' compensation benefits, according to the suit.

Smith claims the defendant's termination of her employment was in retaliation for attempting to file the workers' compensation claim, which constitutes a violation of West Virginia public policy.

As a result of the defendant's actions, Smith suffered substantial damages, according to the suit.

Smith is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Lia DiTrapano Fairless.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-1427