CHARLESTON – A Roane County man is suing his former employer after he was fired for allegedly raising safety concerns.
Richard L. Paxton filed a lawsuit April 25 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Cunningham Energy LLC, doing business as Cunningham Oilfield Services, and Ryan E.M. Cunningham, individually and as manager of Cunningham Energy, alleging retaliatory discharge.
According to the complaint, Paxton worked as a supervisor for the defendant from April 9-May 2, 2014. The suit says all went well until Paxton told Ryan Cunningham he suspected some workers were either drunk or otherwise intoxicated, posing a safety risk. Paxton says he was terminated soon after reporting his concerns.
Paxton seeks a jury trial, punitive and compensatory damages, interest and litigation costs. He is represented by attorney Travis A. Griffith of Griffith Law Center PLLC in Charleston.
Judge Carrie L. Webster is assigned to the case.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-C-615