CLARKSBURG – A woman is suing Monongalia County General Hospital for discrimination and retaliation.
On July 27, 2008, Patricia Renae Warnick was hired by HGH as a medical records clerk and in December 2012, she was diagnosed with lymphoma and in January 2013, she began chemotherapy, according to a complaint filed Sept. 8 in Monongalia Circuit Court and removed to federal court on Oct. 12.
Warnick claims in February 2013, she was placed on medical leave by her physician and was granted leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
When Warnick's FMLA was exhausted on April 10, 2013, she then applied for and was granted short term disability, according to the suit.
Warnick claims on April 8, 2013, she received a letter from MGH stating that due to her being off in excess of 12 weeks, per policy, her position was being posted and filled.
On Aug. 7, 2013, she was released to return to work and was informed she had two weeks to find and apply for positions within the hospital or her employment would be terminated. She immediately began applying for positions in the hospital, but was rejected for every position she applied for, according to the suit.
Warnick claims on Sept. 9, 2013,, she received a letter stating that her employment was terminated.
The defendant discriminated against Warnick for her disability and retaliated against her, according to the suit.
Warnick claims her employment was wrongfully terminated.
Warnick is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represente by Kelly Reed of the Law Offices of Kelly R. Reed.
Monongalia County General is represented by Tamara B. Williamson and Theodore A. Schroeder of Littler Mendelson PC.
The case is assigned to District Judge Irene Keeley.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia case number: 1:15-cv-00179