Former employee sues Regis Corporation, alleges discrimination

HUNTINGTON - A former employee is suing Regis Corporation after she claims it discriminated against her because of her disability.

Regis is doing business as Smart Styles.

Angie Bryant was also named as a defendant in the suit.

Billie Jean Fain was employed by the defendant for five or six years as a hair stylist and most recently worked at Smart Styles located within Walmart on U.S. 60, according to a complaint filed Nov. 12 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Fain claims on Jan. 25, 2012, she had just completed the coloring of a client's hair when she immediately noticed her hands had broken out, swelled severely and began to burn, ooze and itch, so she clocked out and went to the Kings Daughters Medical Center Emergency Room.

The treating physician diagnosed Fain with contact dermatitis, which was likely caused by chemicals contained in the shampoos or coloring at the salon and she received a steroid shot as well as other medication to treat the dermatitis, according to the suit.

Fain claims a few days later she returned to work and on Feb. 10, 2012, a second episode of contact dermatitis occurred after completing a coloring for a client and her symptoms appeared to have worsened, so she went to KDMC's Emergency Room again, where she received another steroid shot and medication.

A third outbreak occurred on Feb. 28, 2012, and the following day when Fain reported to work, she was told not to clock in because Bryant needed to speak with her, according to the suit.

Fain claims Bryant informed her that they were making her termination although she did not want to do so and it was believed that Bryant was referring to Smart Styles corporate office.

Following her termination, Fain applied for and received unemployment compensation and the unemployment office indicated that the defendants failed to show misconduct for her termination, according to the suit.

Fain is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is being represented by Abraham J. Saad of Saad Law Office.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 13-C-850