MOUNDSVILLE – An Illinois worker is seeking compensation from a local employer and two of its employees, alleging a hostile work environment, violation of wage and hour laws, and wrongful termination.
Patrick Sabin filed a lawsuit on Nov. 18 in Marshall Circuit Court against Pipeline Energy Group Inc., Edward Smith and Michael Smith. Citing a hostile work environment, Sabin’s claim alleges his working conditions violated wage and hour laws, and that his constructive discharge last year was retaliatory and wrongful.
According to the complaint, Sabin was employed as a foreman in a non-exempt capacity with Carl Smith Pipeline, as the defendant is known in West Virginia, and was supervised by Edward Smith and Michael Smith. He was employed from May to November 2014. Sabin’s claim alleges he was forced to work excessive hours without adequate compensation or breaks, and was forced to engage in illegal activity by buying items not used for the business. Sabin’s complaint cites a hostile work environment that included verbal abuse in addition to violations of wage and labor laws that he alleges required him to work 14 hours a day, seven days a week. He claims he was terminated in retaliation for complaining about falsifying documents.
Sabin is demanding a trial by jury and seeks back pay for nonpaid overtime; damages for lost wages and benefits as well as future lost wages, emotional distress, aggravation, annoyance and inconvenience; permitted punitive damages; and attorney fees. He is being represented in the case by attorney Daniel M. Balgo of the firm Balgo and Kaminski LC, in Charleston. The case is being heard by Judge Jeffrey Cramer.
Marschall Circuit Court Case number 15-C-196