Associated Press Published

Doctor Sues Over Firing from W.Va. Medical Examiner's Office

WV Officer of the Medical Examiner

A doctor is suing the state over his firing from the West Virginia Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mahmoud E. Hamada’s lawsuit alleges that his termination violated the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Hamada’s attorney filed the lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Resources last week in Kanawha County Circuit Court.

DHHR spokeswoman, Allison Adler, says the agency won’t comment on pending litigation.

The lawsuit says Hamada’s superiors approved a medical leave of absence that his personal doctor had ordered for him. According to the lawsuit, Hamada was fired within four days of taking the leave.

The lawsuit also says the DHHR was wrong to file a complaint against him with the Board of Medicine. The complaint later was dismissed.