Laid off employee sues Galveston hospital

GALVESTON - Claiming he was compelled by Shriner's Hospitals for Children to sign a contract which ultimately did not apply to him, a Galveston man is suing the non-profit medical organization to recover lost earnings.

Jason Sheaffer's suit, which was filed May 7 in Galveston County District Court, says the plaintiff and other employees signed a release promising that they would not sue Shriners on the basis of numerous federal laws as part of a reduction in force.

The measure was reportedly taken by the defendant after Hurricane Ike struck Galveston in September 2008.

Sheaffer claims he was to receive 10 weeks salary under the contract.

"After waiting for almost two months, the plaintiff was informed that the contract given to him, which he executed, was in fact not applicable to him and that he should have known that," the original petition explains.

"The defendant apologized for the confusion."

Consequently, the plaintiff seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

Attorney John-Baptist A. Sekumade of Houston is representing Sheaffer.

The case has been assigned to Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox.

Case No. 10-cv-1233