CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Cowie Management Corporation after she claims another employee sexually harassed her.
Cowie Management Corporation is doing business as Suzi's Hamburgers.
James Cowie Jr. was also named as a defendant in the suit.
Ashley Thaxton was employed by Suzi's Hamburgers and worked under Cowie's authority, according to a complaint filed Feb. 24 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
Thaxton claims during her employment Cowie subjected her to unwelcome sexual remarks, physical contact and physical advances, which created a hostile work environment.
Cowie made inappropriate comments regarding Thaxton's appearance and made inappropriate physical contact and touching of a sexual nature, according to the suit.
Thaxton claims in January 2011 she clocked out and did not return to her employment with the defendant because she could no longer tolerate the hostile working conditions created by Cowie.
Cowie also had harassed other employees in the past, according to the suit.
Thaxton claims the defendants' actions violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act by creating a hostile and intimidating work environment.
The defendants also neglected its duty to ensure that Thaxton's work environment was free from intimidation and hostile sexual harassment, according to the suit.
Thaxton is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Paul M. Stroebel.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-353
