HUNTINGTON — The former chief operating officer of Lineage Health Solutions is suing it and Ohio Valley Physicians for breach of contract.
OVP Health Care Inc., Stacey Shy, and Drs. Robert Hess, Stephen Shy and Jonathan Hess also were named as defendants in the suit.
Paul E. Cowsar was the COO of Lineage. On Dec. 10, 2021, he was advised by the defendants that he was being terminated from his employment and he was presented with a severance agreement, according to a complaint filed in Cabell Circuit Court.
Cowsar claims on Dec. 20, 2021, his attorney proposed changes to the agreement and the following day, the defendant's chief legal officer noted which changes were acceptable and which were not. The parties were in agreement by Dec. 22, 2021, on the severance contract.
On Dec. 24, 2021, after accepting the agreement, the defendant withdrew the agreement, according to the suit.
Cowsar claims he substantially performed all duties required under the agreement, but the defendants refuse to perform their responsibilities pursuant to the agreement.
The plaintiff claims the defendants violated the West Virginia Patient Safety Act by retaliating against him. He also claims the defendants violated the West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act by failing to pay his accrued vacation pay in a timely manner.
Cowsar claims the defendants intentionally interfered with his contract, which caused him harm.
Cowsar is seeking compensatory damages in the amount of $28,846.15 for unpaid vacation pay and $57,692.30 in liquidated damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is represented by William L. Mundy of Mundy & Associates.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Gregory Howard Jr.
Cabell Circuit Court case number: 22-C-91
