Nurse claims company failed to pay her promised compensation

A nurse claims Medical Center of Southeast Texas refused to pay her its promised compensation of $34 per hour. 

Nicole Rauwerda filed a lawsuit Oct. 8 in Jefferson County District Court against Medical Center of Southeast Texas.

In her complaint, Rauwerda claims she began working for the hospital in 2006 for a pay of $28 per hour. Beginning in November 2008, revisions went into effect that promised to pay registered nurses $34 per hour, according to the complaint.

However, Rauwerda was never made aware of the changes and continued to make $28, the suit states.

“After Ms. Rauwerda’s July 2010, self-discovery of the change to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas’ Policy and Procedures and realizing that her co-workers were being paid $34 per hour while she was being paid $28 per hour for the exact services as a Registered Nurse in accordance with Plan A-PRN, she approached her Supervisor to request a rate change and retro pay from November 2008,” the complaint says.

Rauwerda received a check for retro pay worth $4,500.76, but she claims the payment was only a partial reimbursement of the money owed. In fact, Rauwerda actually worked twice the number of hours for which she was paid, according to the complaint.

In her complaint, Rauwerda seeks actual damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

K. Leigh Parker Jr. of the Law Office of K. Leigh Parker Jr. in Beaumont will be representing her.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. A193-275