Lawsuit filed against pain clinic, doctor in Conover

CONOVER, N.C.,None — Three local women have filed a federal lawsuit against their former employer, a doctor who owns pain clinics in the area.

The lawsuit, filed this week in Statesville, alleges the women faced "adverse employment action" as a result of turning down their employer's sexual advances.

Deana Lingle, Leslie Treadway and Robin Perun are seeking $100,000 in damages from The Pain Relief Centers, P.A., and have asked to return to their jobs "following the imposition of reasonable corrective measures to protect them."

The Pain Relief Centers, P.A. has operated clinics in Statesville, Conover and Salisbury. Its owner, Dr. Hans Hansen, is the subject of the lawsuit.

The filing describes the allegations against the doctor in graphic detail. The women claim Hansen subjected them to "unwelcome physical touching" as well as sexual comments. The lawsuit alleges the incidences happened between 2008 and February 2009.

Lingle and Treadway said they told office manager about Hansen's alleged conduct, according to the filing.

The lawsuit says the women also filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Charlotte, alleging sexual harassment, retaliation and a hostile work environment.

The lawsuit says the EEOC determined the women had been subjected to harassment and there was "reasonable cause" to believe their civil rights were violated. After "conciliation efforts" failed, the lawsuit says EEOC issued notices giving the women the right to sue.

WSOC