CHARLESTON – A Black man says he was a victim of racial discrimination at work.
Jeremy Hill, 38, filed his complaint May 30 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Matheson Flight Extenders Inc. and Jason Lane.
According to the complaint, Hill worked for the defendant company in July 2020 until his termination in June 2021. He worked as a package handler for the mail-related company, and he says he performed his job duties in a satisfactory manner. Lane was Hill’s supervisor.
Hill says was exposed to and witnessed ongoing racial animus, including the use of racial slurs, racial discrimination and race-based harassment. That includes use of the N-word and variations of it.
He says he made complaints about the ongoing hostile work environment, including complaining to Lane. Soon after that, Hill says he was required to submit to a “random” drug test in which he and other Black employees were required to take. He was told he failed the drug test and was fired.
Hill accuses the defendants of racial discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation and reprisal. He says he has suffered economic damages such as lost wages and benefits, physical and emotional damages such as humiliation, mental pain and suffering, emotional distress and embarrassment.
He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, general damages, court costs, attorney fees, pre- and post-judgment interests and other relief.
Hill is being represented by Phillip Estep of Estep Entsminger Law Group in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 23-C-473