Ex-Hospital Worker Sues Medical Center

By Allen Essex, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas

Nov. 8–BROWNSVILLE — A former Harlingen Medical Center employee has sued the hospital, claiming she was slapped and wrestled to the floor by her female supervisor who the former worker claims used racist language.

Pamela Crespo, hired in April 2005, worked in the hospital’s patient registration department, states her lawsuit, filed in 197th state District Court. She claims her supervisor assaulted her and violated her civil rights.

Crespo’s lawsuit alleges the supervisor called her a racial epithet almost daily, violating Crespo’s civil rights under federal and state law. Her ethnic background wasn’t immediately available, but the lawsuit alleges a racist remark was about Mexicans.

“On almost a daily basis, (the supervisor) pushed Crespo when the two would cross paths in the hallway and (once) pulled Crespo to the floor as (Crespo) attempted to open the office safe,” the lawsuit states.

“On two separate occasions in June 2006, … (the supervisor) slapped Pamela Crespo on the face, causing … Crespo to feel pain,” her lawsuit states.

A hospital spokeswoman declined on Wednesday to comment on the allegations in Crespo’s lawsuit.

“Despite the hostile work environment created by Harlingen Medical Center and … (the supervisor), Crespo attempted to perform her work satisfactorily and received a favorable job description performance review on Aug. 23, 2006,” the lawsuit states. “However, Harlingen Medical Center terminated Pamela Crespo’s employment on Sept. 14, 2006, the sole basis of this termination being Pamela Crespo’s national origin,” the lawsuit states.

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