BATON ROUGE — A staff nurse is suing the West Feliciana Parish hospital board, alleging violation of her civil rights.
Judy Jones of East Baton Rouge Parish filed a lawsuit April 8 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against the Hospital Service District of West Feliciana Parish and the Board of Commissioners of The Hospital Service District of West Feliciana Parish, alleging harassment, unfair treatment retaliation and discrimination.
According to the complaint, Jones was subjected to racial discrimination and harassment, and was not promoted despite her experience, qualifications and certifications. The suit says when she was appointed interim director of nursing, she was not allowed to attend board meetings and was not allowed to hire staff.
The lawsuit states while Jones out on medical leave, she was demoted and her pay was decreased by $7 an hour.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to have an effective policy regarding harassment, discrimination and retaliation. She said the defendants refused to make her permanent director of nursing but instead assigned her to the housekeeping, an all-black department, while promotions went to less qualified white employees,.
Jones seeks a trial by jury, compensation for all reasonable sums, attorney fees, costs, legal interest and other relief to which she is entitled. She is represented by attorney Jill L. Craft of Baton Rouge.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Case number 3:16-cv-00221