Area resident Beverly Coffee has filed suit against Express Newspapers, alleging she suffered a lower back injury at work and was terminated thereafter, even though her doctor did not clear her return to full time work.
The suit was filed Oct. 2 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Nov. 28, 2012, Coffee suffered a lower back injury while working in the course and scope of her employment.
“Plaintiff alleges that her main treating physician has never released plaintiff to return to work on a full-duty basis,” the suit states. “However, plaintiff alleges that she was terminated by her employer in that her employer alleges that she was released to return to work.”
Coffee alleges she was discriminated against for filing a worker’s compensation claim.
The suit does not state when Coffee was fired.
On top of punitive damages, asserting the defendant acted with malice, Coffee is suing for lost wages and attorney’s fees.
Beaumont attorney Tommy Yeates of the Moore Landrey law firm represents her.
Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, is assigned to the case.
Case No. B194-859
Woman alleges Express Newspapers fired her after hurting lower back
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