Editor's note: A final judgment was entered in this case on July 26, 2017, stating the evidence failed to establish at lease one element of the plaintiff’s defamation claim.
HOUSTON — A former employee is suing an oil drilling company and a co-employee, alleging defamation, hostile work environment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Daniel Askins of Washington state filed a lawsuit in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Jeffrey B. Hagopian and Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC, alleging they made false statements against the plaintiff.
According to the complaint, between March 2011 and April 2015, Askins suffered damages to his reputation, which also resulted in his termination. The plaintiff alleges defendants issued defamatory statements against Askins designed to damage his personal and business reputation.
Askins seeks trial by jury, all damages, exemplary damages, an injunction against the defendant to retract the defamatory statements, interest, all legal fees and all other equitable relief. He is represented by attorneys Mateo Z. Fowler and Lauren E. Sprouse of MZF Law PLLC in Austin.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 4:16-cv-01370