Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 22, 1991 TAG: 9103220285
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Robert C. Weaver asked for $300,000 in damages and lost wages.
The lawsuit, filed in Roanoke Circuit Court, claims that company officials ordered Weaver to undergo a random drug test in December even though they had no reason to suspect him of drug use. During his 35 years of employment, Weaver had no record of poor job performance or disciplinary action, the suit states.
The test, conducted by the SmithKline laboratory at Community Hospital, showed that Weaver had traces of cocaine and amphetamine in his blood, the suit states.
On Dec. 21, the last working day before Christmas, Weaver was told of the results and his job was terminated on the spot.
The following morning, he went to Roanoke Memorial Hospital on his own for a second drug test. That test showed no signs of the drugs detected by the SmithKline test, the suit alleges.
Weaver's suit claims that by relying on a negligent drug test, Coca-Cola officials damaged his reputation and forced him to leave the community in search of work. SmithKline Beecham Corp. also is named in the lawsuit.
Coca-Cola officials declined to comment Thursday.
by CNB