MARSHALL -- On almost a daily basis, Halliburton employee Catarina Rose claims she was subjected to sexual harassment, intimidation and a hostile work environment. After she reported a sexual assault, Rose states the hostility toward her only intensified.
Alleging violations of the Civil Rights Act, Rose filed suit against Halliburton Energy Services on Sept. 21 in the Marshall Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
Hired by Halliburton in August 2007, Rose states the work conditions were so intolerable that she was forced to end her employment with the company in June 2008.
According to the lawsuit, "plaintiff was subjected to egregious sexual harassment and intimidation by male coworkers and supervisors," including a sexual assault by a male co-worker.
Rose states that she was called derogatory names, and told "this is a man's world."
She claims she was told "I'll make it so hard on you out here that you'll quit," and "no one asked you to be here so deal with it," along with several other degrading and explicit proposals.
After the alleged sexual misconduct, Rose states she was forced to use her vacation time for the psychiatric evaluation that was required for her to return to work. The employee who committed the act was disciplined but allowed to return to work after a few days, the suit states. Rose claims that the misconduct became a joke at Halliburton.
"Due to the nature of the constant taunting, ridicule and name-calling, Plaintiff lost hours at work and advancement opportunities," the complaint states.
Rose believes the company allowed or engaged in the unlawful employment practices because she is a female. Causes of action filed against the defendant include sexual harassment, constructive discharge, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy, negligence, retaliation, slander and tortuous interference with a contractual relationship.
Rose is seeking damages for attorney's fees, back pay, emotional pain, inconvenience, interest, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of benefits, deprivation of seclusion, humiliation, loss of time, physical discomfort, loss of consortium and injury to reputation.
Seeking punitive damages, the plaintiff argues that the actions of Halliburton were committed with "malice or reckless indifference to the protected rights of the plaintiff."
The plaintiff is requesting a jury trial.
Henderson attorney Clay Wilder of the law firm Wilder and Wilder PC is representing the plaintiff.
U.S. District Judge T. John Ward will preside over the litigation.
Case No 2:09cv00284
Former Halliburton employee claims she was sexually harassed
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