Masterbrand Cabinets, Inc. v. Ruggs

Nacola Ruggs sued her employer, Masterbrand Cabinets, Inc., f/k/a NHB Industries, Inc. ("Masterbrand"), on August 8, 2001, seeking to recover workers' compensation benefits for injuries she sustained during the course of her employment with Masterbrand. Ruggs amended her complaint on August 13, 2002, to allege a retaliatory-discharge claim pursuant to § 25-5-11.1, Ala. Code 1975. The retaliatory-discharge claim was purportedly severed by the trial court, and the workers' compensation claim proceeded to trial.1 Following an ore tenus proceeding, the trial court, on April 22, 2003, entered an…