CHARLESTON — A former employee is suing a furniture corporation and supervisor, alleging disability discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.
Bryan Shepherd filed a complaint in Kanawha Circuit Court against Big Sandy Furniture Inc. and Adam Dale, alleging violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, Shepherd began working for Big Sandy in January 2017 as a warehouse worker. The suit says on Feb. 11, 2018, he was terminated from his employment due to the workplace injury to his knee that occurred Nov. 14, 2017, while he was trying to move a refrigerator..
Shepherd says he has suffered lost wages and benefits, annoyance, loss of dignity and emotional distress. The plaintiff alleges Big Sandy Furniture and Dale failed to provide reasonable accommodation and retaliated against him by terminating his employment for Shepherd attempting to receive workers' compensation benefits.
Shepherd seeks trial by jury, all remedies afforded by law, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and costs and all other just and equitable relief. He is represented by attorneys Michael P. Addair and Todd S. Bailess of Bailess Smith PLLC in Charleston.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 18-C-1267