A dental assistant formerly employed by an Aspen Dental clinic in Longview, WA, has settled with the company after suing Aspen for alleged assualt, the Daily News Online reported.
Crystal Manes claimed that she had been assaulted by a supervisor while at the Longview clinic, resulting in a mental breakdown. The terms of the settlement, which was completed on the day a civil trial jury was scheduled to hear the case in Cowlitz County Superior Court, were undisclosed.
Manes claimed that her supervisor, Jessica Scruggs, angrily slapped her with an open hand on her arm when she said she was leaving for the day on April 21, 2010, the article stated.
Attorneys for Aspen Dental contended that the contact was incidental, occurring when Scruggs was gesturing, and that it could not have caused an injury. Manes said a bruise appeared after the incident, and that she was subsequently prescribed antianxiety medications. She was admitted to the hospital for panic attacks a few weeks later and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Manes sued for lost wages, medical expenses, and "general damages," according to court documents.
