Maintenance worker sues WVU, alleges discrimination

MORGANTOWN - A former employee and his wife are suing the West Virginia University Board of Governors after he claims he was discriminated against.

Richard Gene Westerman was hired by the defendant on Jan. 29, 2006, to perform duties as a temporary maintenance worker and was hired as a full-time worker on July 24, 2006, according to a complaint filed April 5 in Monongalia Circuit Court.

Westerman claims he was injured on the job on April 6, 2011, when a lift that he had been instructed to move fell on him and he was hospitalized for three days at Monongalia General Hospital.

After his injuries, Westerman filed a Workers' Compensation claim for the injuries, according to the suit.

Westerman claims the defendants terminated his employment because he was injured.

The defendant's actions caused Westerman to suffer economic problems beginning when he was terminated from receiving his temporary total disability benefits and he faced an onslaught of debt, according to the suit.

Westerman and his wife, Alice Jean Westerman, are seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by LaVerne Sweeney of the Law Office of LaVerne Sweeney.

Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 13-C-256