HUNTINGTON – A man is suing Verizon Wireless after he claims it violated the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Verizon Wireless is doing business as Cellco Partnership.
On July 27, 2007, Justin Vandevander was hired by the defendant as an assistant store manager, and worked his way up to the position of major account manager by 2014, according to a complaint filed June 24 in Cabell Circuit Court.
Vandevander claims in March 2013 he met Trista Simon, another employee of the company who worked in a different region, and they began a relationship and were married April 19.
In November, Vandevander notified his manager, Carolyn Phillips, that Simon was expecting their child to be born around July 16, and that he would require leave from work to attend physician's visits with Simon, who was in Pennsylvania then, for their expected child during her pregnancy.
Phillips told Vandevander that he would need to use vacation time for the doctor's visits involving prenatal care and did not provide him with any documentation as required under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to the suit.
Vandevander claims at various times, he took time from work to attend medical visits with Simon and on March 20, the defendant terminated his employment, but did not provide him with a specific reason for his termination.
Since his termination, Vandevander has sought suitable, gainful employment, which he has not yet found, according to the suit.
Vandevander is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Hoyt Glazer, Ben Sheridan and Mitchell L. Klein of Klein, Sheridan & Glazer LC.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 15-C-448
