CHARLESTON – A Charleston man is alleging he was fired because of his age and is seeking compensatory damages.
Bruce J. Goldblatt filed suit on Aug. 3 in Kanawha Circuit Court against TP Orthodontics Inc., an Indiana-based corporation licensed to do business in Charleston.
According to the complaint, Goldblatt was a technical sales specialist for TP Orthodontics for approximately one and a half years, when he was terminated on April 17 for allegedly violating the company's hotel policy by staying at a more expensive hotel than the one approved by the company while attending a trade show. When told, the plaintiff allegedly offered to pay the extra amount himself, but was still terminated. The hotel he stayed at was $20 more than the hotel approved by the company, the complaint states. He was also allegedly denied mileage reimbursement and earned commissions. Goldblatt was 61 at the time of his termination.
The plaintiff is suing for age discrimination, a violation of the West Virginia Humans Rights Act, citing that his age was the real reason he was fired. He seeks compensation for lost wages and benefits, past and future, humiliation, mental and emotional distress, and loss of dignity. He is also suing for violation of the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act, for three times the amount due to him at the time of his discharge.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages, other damages, court costs and attorney fees, interest, and any other relief as the court sees fit. He also demands a trial by jury.
The plaintiff is being represented by Richard W. Walters of Shaffer & Shaffer PLLC of Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 15-C-1465.