HUNTINGTON — A former employee is suing a residential house and its employees, citing alleged age discrimination, worker's compensation retaliation and violation of substantial public policy.
Gail L. Spurlock filed a complaint in Cabell Circuit Court against Pressley Ridge Inc d/b/a Pressley Ridge of West Virginia and John Does 1-10, alleging that they terminated her employment for reasons prohibited by statute and public policy.
According to the complaint, Spurlock alleges that she was terminated as a night watcher by the defendant at the age of 64 and was replaced with a 28-year old employee. Prior to the termination, she suffered an on-the-job injury on Feb. 21, 2017, and received workers' compensation benefits for her medical treatment while she continued to work. On Oct. 10, 2017, three youths ran away from the facility while her back was turned as she was walking to a table to grab her lunch. She was suspended and then her employment was terminated on Oct. 18, 2017.
The plaintiff holds Pressley Ridge Inc d/b/a Pressley Ridge of West Virginia and John Does 1-10 responsible because they allegedly falsely claimed that Spurlock was insubordinate and terminated for an act she did not do. The defendant claimed that Spurlock disobeyed a directive about where she was supposed to be stationed despite the supervisor's testimony under oath that he permitted her to sit where she was sitting during her shift. Additionally, Pressley Ridge retaliated against her for filing a worker's compensation claim by discharging her.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks general and special damages, including front pay and back pay, punitive damages in an amount to be determined by jury at trial, interest on judgment at the legal rate from the date of judgment, pre-judgment interest, attorney's fees, costs and other relief to which she may be entitled. She is represented by Abraham J. Saad of Saad Dixon Law Offices PLLC in Huntington.
Cabell Circuit Court Case number 18c597