CHARLESTON — A Virginia woman is suing Frontier Communications, alleging disability discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Karen Renee Scott of Bland County, Virginia, filed a lawsuit Oct. 31 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Frontier, doing business as Citizens Telecom Services Company LLC, and Steve Snedegar, alleging violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, prior to Scott's termination Sept. 21, 2015, the defendants subjected her to discrimination, harassment and retaliation for exercising her rights. The suit says Scott was physically and verbally sexually harassed by a colleague, which led to her suffering high blood pressure and requiring medical leave.
The lawsuit states when Scott requested accommodations for her condition, which also included chronic mono and Lyme disease, she was fired. The suit says this led to economic damages, lost wages and benefits, humiliation, mental pain and emotional distress.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to provide reasonable accommodations, refused to engage in reasonable and interactive communications, retaliated against her and terminated her employment for asking for reasonable accommodations.
Scott seeks trial by jury, compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs of litigation, pre- and post-judgment interest and all equitable relief. She is represented by attorneys Philip Estep, Todd S. Bailess and Rodney A. Smith of Bailess Smith PLLC in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court Case number 16-c-1661