NEW CUMBERLAND – A former operations supervisor at Ergon-West Virginia alleges that he was fired in retaliation for requesting a medical leave for knee surgery.
William Kent Snyder, along with his wife Deborah Snyder, filed a suit on Feb. 22 in Hancock Circuit Court against Ergon-West Virginia Inc., which operates in Newell.
William Snyder allegedly requested a medical leave in November 2014 so that he could have surgery on his knee, according to the suit. He claims that he was repeatedly asked to postpone the leave, which was scheduled to take place in December 2014.
While on a scheduled vacation the week before his requested leave, Snyder alleges he was called into work and fired.
The suit alleges he was terminated in retaliation for not agreeing to delay the leave, which is a violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act reasonable accommodation statute.
The plaintiff's wife, Deborah Snyder, brings her claim of loss of consortium because of the emotional distress the plaintiff has suffered.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury as well as judgment for compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs, interest, and reinstatement to his position. They are represented by Ronald Kasserman of Kasserman Law Offices PLLC in Wheeling. The case is being heard by Judge David J. Sims.
Hancock Circuit Court Case number 16-C-25