MORGANTOWN — A Monongalia County woman is suing West Virginia University Hospitals for unlawful termination of employment.
Brenda Hogan began working for WVU Hospitals in 1986 as a registered nurse and has also worked as a lactation specialist at the hospital, according to a complaint filed in Monongalia Circuit Court.
Hogan claims she has had approximately 29 supervisors during her 36 years of employment and her last supervisor was Kristine Haufe, who began with the defendant in March 2020.
Hogan claims she underwent shoulder surgery in March 2020 and missed work due to the surgery and when she returned, her new supervisor was extremely hostile toward her.
On June 28, 2020, Hogan underwent sinus surgery and in September 2020, she had a fever and because of COVID-19, she was unable to work while having a fever, yet Haufe called her daily and asked her to come to work.
Hogan claims she followed the defendant's policy and did not work while she had a fever.
Hogan claims her supervisor's hostility continued until Hogan was terminated from her employment on April 26, 2021, at the age of 57.
Hogan claims the defendant's action was in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act. She claims her discharge was based in part on her age and she has suffered lost wages and benefits due to the termination.
The defendant's actions were willful, wanton and/or undertaken with reckless disregard and/or reckless indifference to the rights of the plaintiff, according to the suit.
The defendant's actions caused Hogan to suffer indignity, embarrassment and humiliation, according to the suit.
Hogan claims the defendant's actions were also malicious and caused her harm.
Hogan is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre-judgment interest. She is represented by Mark A. Atkinson of Atkinson & Polak in Charleston.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 22-C-30