Former employee sues Aquilex Hydrochem for wage payment violations

CHARLESTON -- A former employee is suing Aquilex Hydrochem Industrial Cleaning LLC after he claims the company failed to pay his final wages within 72 hours of discharge.

Charles Bennett was employed by the defendant from April 2005 until Dec. 22, 2011, according to a complaint filed May 22 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Bennett claims the defendants failed to pay his final wages within 72 hours of discharge and did not pay his final wages until Dec. 30, 2011.

The defendant's failure to pay Bennett's final wages in a timely manner violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act, according to the suit.

Bennett claims the defendant's actions entitle him to treble damages.

The defendant's actions also caused Bennett embarrassment, humiliation and emotional distress, according to the suit.

Bennett is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Todd S. Bailess and Joy B. Mega.

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

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-955