Former employee says Lumos terminated employment based on age

CHARLESTON - A former employee says Lumos Networks of West Virginia Inc. terminated her employment based on her age.

Lumos is formerly known has nTELOS of West Virginia.

Carrie Scott and William Wilson were also named as defendants in the suit.

Karen L. Whittard was employed by the defendants from March 13, 2000, through July 31, 2011, according to a complaint filed June 4 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Whittard claims she was consistently recognized by her supervisors for her outstanding performance of her job duties.

On July 14, 2011, Scott had a conversation with Whittard wherein Scott specifically made a derogatory reference regarding Whittard's age and on July 31, 2011, the defendants, through Scott and Wilson, willfully, maliciously and unlawfully terminated Whittard's employment, according to the suit.

Whittard claims her employment was terminated based on her age.

The defendants violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act and caused Whittard to sustain injuries, according to the suit.

Whittard is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is being represented by Gene W. Bailey II and Raj A. Shah of Hendrickson & Long PLLC.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1075