CHARLESTON – A West Virginia resident has cited his former employer for allegedly engaging in discriminatory and retaliatory employment practices after terminating his employment after a surgery.
Jeffrey T. Lindenmuth filed a lawsuit Aug. 19 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Laboratory Corp. of America, alleging violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, Lindenmuth was a warehouse worker at the defendant's Kanawha County location from 1983 until his termination around mid-2013. He maintained a satisfactory job performance throughout the duration of his 30 years of employment with the defendant.
The suit states that Lindenmuth took medical leave in June 2013 to undergo surgery to remove a tumor on his kidney. He returned to work on light duty the following month and after two weeks he resumed his duties at full capacity. Lindenmuth claims the defendant then unlawfully terminated him on Aug. 22, 2013. He was 59 years old at the time.
Lindenmuth alleges, in the civil action, he was terminated due to his disability and age. He seeks lost wages and benefits, back and front pay, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court. Lindenmuth is represented by Valentina G. Wheeler of Wheeler Law Firm in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 15-c-1582.