WILLIAMSON – A Williamson man alleges he was wrongfully terminated because he filed a workers' compensation claim and that he was subjected to discriminatory treatment because of his race.
Gregory Goolsby filed a complaint Sept. 1 in Mingo Circuit Court against Panther Creek Mining LLC, otherwise known as Blackhawk Mining, citing the West Virginia Human Rights Act and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff is an experienced coal miner and worked for the defendant from February 2016 to May 2017. He alleges he was injured on the job in April 2016, was awarded workers' compensation, and returned to work in March. He alleges he was terminated for filing a workers' compensation claim.
The plaintiff holds Panther Creek Mining LLC responsible because he allegedly also was treated in a hostile manner because of his African-American race.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages, lost wages, benefits, back pay, front pay, damages, punitive damages, interest, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. He is represented by Justin J. Marcum of Marcum Law Office PLLC in Williamson. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Miki J. Thompson.
Mingo Circuit Court case number 17-C-151