BECKLEY – An Upshur County nurse alleges she was retaliated against after filing a workers' compensation claim.
Jessica H. Thomas filed a complaint Aug. 15 in Raleigh Circuit Court against Riparian Investments LLC, doing business as Harper Mills, and Kimberly Stafford alleging violation of the Patient Safety Act, workers' compensation discrimination and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was hired as a nurse by the defendant in January 2011. She alleges she reported patient safety issues and was subjected to a hostile work environment from Stafford, a supervisor. The suit states she was injured at work while lifting a patient in November 2016, filed a workers' compensation claim and took a leave.
The plaintiff claims that she was retaliated against with unwarranted discipline, reduced work hours and a proper pay increase after requesting to transition to a part-time states. The suit states she left in April to seek employment elsewhere because of the defendants' alleged actions.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory damages, interest, punitive damages, exemplary damages, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. She is represented by Erika Klie Kolenich and James L. Lindsay of Klie Law Offices PLLC in Buckhannon. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andrew Dimlich.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 17-C-457-D