Couple sue McJunkin Red Man Corporation

CHARLESTON - A Putnam County couple are suing McJunkin Red Man Corporation for alleged discrimination and wrongful termination of employment.

William Bosso was also named as a defendant in the suit.

Michael T. Garnett was employed by McJunkin from August 2012 until November 2012, according to a complaint filed Sept. 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Garnett claims during the course of his employment, he consistently performed his duties in a satisfactory manner and met the reasonable expectations of the defendants.

In November, Garnett began suffering from medical complications due to issues with his gall bladder and he presented to multiple medical providers wherein he received an excuse for missed work, which he presented to his direct supervisor, according to the suit.

Garnett claims despite being very ill, he continued to work for the defendants while he was awaiting surgery, and after visits to medical providers prior to surgery, the defendants willfully, maliciously and unlawfully terminated his employment, claiming that he had missed work without authorization.

While Garnett was off work, he consistently communicated with the defendants and requested that he be placed on modified duty, according to the suit.

Garnett claims the defendants refused to provide him with an accommodation of modified duty.

The defendants violated the West Virginia Human Rights Act, according to the suit.

Garnett and his wife, Mary Jo Garnett, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. They are being represented by D. Adrian Hoosier II of the Hoosier Law Firm PLLC.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-1687