A local housekeeping manager for a Brentwood–based nursing home, hurt on the job and subsequently terminated for her pursuit of workers compensation benefits, according to her complaint, has sued her former employer and wants the court to decide how much she’s owed.

Terry Lee Isele filed the Davidson County Circuit Court lawsuit June 4, accusing Imperial Manor Convalescent Center LLC, located in the Maryland Farms area of Brentwood, of retaliatory discharge, legalese for being terminated for one reason but, in reality, pretext for another.

Isele’s complaint (read here) details the history of her injuries leading to this lawsuit. The 10-year Imperial veteran had been a good employee acquiring satisfactory personnel reviews from nursing home managers, according to her complaint, all until November 2010 when Isele injured both shoulders while performing an unidentified task. Interestingly, Imperial had approved Isele’s requests for benefit payments for her left shoulder but balked at paying for her right. And although the left shoulder was more damaged than the right — hence treated first — surgery was still required on the right shoulder, a treatment for which Isele wanted her workers compensation plan to pay. Things turned south when, according to the complaint, Isele overheard Imperial’s human resources manager talking with Isele’s supervisor, discussing Isele’s termination. Why this discussion allegedly occurred isn’t clear but Isele's response was clear as she confronted both persons the same day and for her efforts was unceremoniously fired for “eavesdropping,” apparently a violation of Imperial personnel policy.

Isele’s claim is that she was fired for pursuing compensation benefits. Eavesdropping was the pretext.

Imperial was not available for comment Tuesday.

Isele is represented by Stephen W. Grace, a Nashville-based lawyer. Grace could not be reached for comment either.

Isele wants her job back and wants the court to order Imperial to pay both compensatory and punitive damages.