WAYNE — A Cabell County woman is suing the Wayne County Commission alleging she was wrongfully terminated from her job after she sustained a workplace injury.
Wayne County Sheriff Richard Thompson also was named as a defendant in the suit.
Angela McCoy began working as a clerk in the sheriff's office in April 2022. On November 15, 2022, she experienced a fall injury during her employment, which caused injuries to her knee, toe and shoulder, according to a complaint filed in Wayne Circuit Court.
The incident was captured on video surveillance camera and emergency services were called to assist the plaintiff, according to the suit.
McCoy immediately reported the incident to her supervisors and she sought medical attention for her injuries.
On November 18, 2022, Thompson and Laura Porter, McCoy's supervisor, terminated her employment by stating that she wasn't focused enough on her job, according to the suit.
McCoy claims the defendant violated the state's workers' compensation laws and discriminated against her because of her work-related injury.
McCoy claims the defendants' conduct was malicious, intentional and in reckless disregard of her rights. She claims the defendant caused her to suffer lost wages and benefits.
"As a direct and proximate result of Defendant's actions, Plaintiff is entitled to damages for indignity, embarrassment, humiliation and emotional distress in an amount to be determined by a jury," the complaint states.
The defendants' actions were willful, wanton and/or undertaken with reckless disregard and/or reckless indifference to the rights of the plaintiff, according to the suit.
McCoy is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is represented by Steven S. Wolfe of Wolfe, White & Associates.
Wayne Circuit Court case number: 23-C-41