HUNTINGTON -- A former employee is being sued by Alcon Research, LTD after it claims the employee breached its contract with the company.
On April 21, 2011, Blake M. Burchell accepted a position at Alcon's Huntington facility, according to a complaint filed Aug. 15 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Alcon claims it agreed to pay Burchell's relocation expenses from Louisville, Ky., if he signed a Relocation Costs Repayment Agreement, which stated that if he left his employment with Alcon within two years of his start date, he would have to pay back to relocation costs.
On June 25, Burchell submitted a resignation letter informing Alcon he would be resigning his employment effective July 19, but then quit on July 13, according to the suit.
Alcon claims despite his agreement to repay relocation expenses as set forth in the agreement, Burchell has failed and refused to pay the money that he now contractually owes.
By e-mail communication on July 16, Burchell denied any liability for the amounts he owes pursuant to the agreement and threatened litigation if Alcon continued to lawfully seek compliance with the agreement, according to the suit.
Alcon claims the defendant's refusal to repay the relocation expenses paid by Alcon on his behalf is a material breach of the agreement.
As a result of Burchell's breach of the agreement, Alcon has been damaged in the amount of $38,823.36, according to the suit.
Alcon is seeking judgment in the amount of $38,823.36 with pre- and post-judgment interest. It is being represented by C. David Morrison and Gregory P. Neil.
The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-530
