HUNTINGTON — A woman says Grand Island Express discriminated against her based on her age and disability.
Joanna Lambeau was employed by the defendant for 10.5 years as a full-time driver until she was terminated on March 13, according to a complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Lambeau claims she met or exceeded the defendant's reasonable expectations, and received no meaningful criticism or concerns about her driving or safety record during her employment.
"Earlier this year, Plaintiff received a commendation from the Defendant for achieving one million miles driving without any accidents," the complaint states. "Over the past few months before her termination, Plaintiff suffered from a knee injury, which required use of a cane when walking."
Lambeau claims the defendant was aware that the plaintiff required a cane to walk and although she required a cane, she was able to perform the essential functions of her job.
On March 13, the day after her 65th birthday, the defendant terminated Lambeau's employment, according to the suit, claiming she had a flat tire and other minor incidents.
"At no time before her termination did the Defendant ever warn or otherwise allege that Plaintiff had violated any of its safety or other policies," the complaint states. "In the months leading up to her termination, the Defendant had hired additional drivers to perform similar work to Plaintiff."
Lambeau claims on information and belief, the drivers the defendant hired were all younger than the plaintiff or under 40 years of age.
She claims as a result of her termination, the plaintiff has suffered loss of wages, financial damage and emotional harm.
Lambeau is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. She is represented by Hoyt Glazer of Glazer Saad Anderson of Huntington.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia case number: 3:23-cv-00438