CIVIL FILINGS: Monongalia County

May 2
Vicky Hughes vs. West Virginia University, Jeanette Motsch and Mary Roberta Brandt
PA-Walt Auvil; J-NA
* Hughes was employed at the Big Chimney, Kanawha County, office of Center for Excellence in Disabilities. She asked that, due to her chemical sensitivities, she not work at Big Chimney during the renovation of an office in the building. Hughes provided medical documentation of her chemical sensitivity. Following an ADA meeting with Motsch, she was allowed to work with reasonable accommodations. Shortly after that meeting, she met again with Motsch to discuss complaints about Hughes' unsafisfactory performance. It was alleged that Hughes engaged in inappropriate and unethical clinical procedures and client interactions. Hughes contends these allegations were made to harass her in hopes that she would resign. After suffering an injury that resulted in a medical leave of absence for a year, Hughes attempted to return to work. She was again referred to the ADA coordinator. Hughes was advised by Brandt that her accommodation requests for her to return to work were rejected by WVU. Hughes alleges she was discriminated against because WVU failed to accommodate her disability. She is seeking damages for lost wages,lost benefits, punitive damages, costs and attorney fees.
Case number: 12-C-321