A former healthcare coding specialist is suing, alleging she was wrongfully terminated based on discrimination.
Vanessa Evans-Rhodes filed a lawsuit April 29 in the Houston Division of the United States Court for the Southern District of Texas against Northwest Diagnostic Clinic PA, citing racial discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment.
The complaint states Evans-Rhodes worked at Northwest Diagnostic Clinic from Jan. 4, 2011, through June 7, 2011, as a healthcare coding specialist/auditor.
The court document alleges Evans-Rhodes' co-worker discriminated against her and treated her poorly based upon race. The plaintiff alleges she attempted to make a complaint about the behavior to her supervisor, but the supervisor refused, so Evans-Rhodes made complaints with human resources.
In retaliation for her complaints of racial discrimination, the plaintiff claims was issued a written reprimand and then on June 7, 2013, the plaintiff was terminated for allegedly eating at her desk, according to the complaint.
Evans-Rhodes is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.
The plaintiff is being represented in the case by Melissa Moore and Rochelle Owens of Moore & Associates in Houston.
United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas Case No. 4:14-cv-01169
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.