Woman sues insurance company for sexual misconduct

WINFIELD -- A former employee is suing Liberty National Life Insurance Company after she claims she was subjected to a hostile work environment.

Marion C. Parker, an employee of Liberty National Life Insurance Company, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On May 17, 2010, Kimberly S. Dawson became an independent contractor agent with the defendant, according to a complaint filed Jan. 19 in Putnam Circuit Court.

Dawson claims in October 2010, she gave Parker three weeks' notice that she was going to have a bilateral mastectomy which occurred on Oct. 28, 2010.

On Nov. 1, 2010, with full knowledge of the major surgery performed on Dawson on Oct. 28, 2010, and prior to the completion of her manager in training period of 90 days, Parker promoted Dawson to the position of Unit Manager, according to the suit.

Dawson claims she believed that Parker made the promotion hoping to incur favor with her.

In order to avoid the home office finding out about the surgery, Parker "urged, threatened and cajoled Plaintiff to return to work prior to her being released to do so by her treating physician," according to the suit.

Dawson claims beginning in November 2010, Parker began making comments regarding her surgery and breasts and also began touching her "by leaning against her or rubbing against her and rubbing her shoulders, all of which occurred in private and in meetings with other agents present."

Also beginning in November 2010 and continuing until Dawson left the company, in group meetings and in conversations with Dawson's coworkers, Parker began to assign blame for the performance of the office on Dawson's surgery and what he perceived to be her disability, according to the suit.

Dawson is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Harvey D. Peyton.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge O.C. Spaulding.

Putnam Circuit Court case number: 12-C-16