Courier sues Wadley hospital’s parent company

TEXARKANA, Texas — A woman who has provided courier and mailing services for Steward Health Care System is suing the parent company of Wadley Regional Medical Center over what she alleges are unpaid wages.

Patricia Minter, 75, owner of Minter Services, filed a lawsuit against the company Jan. 19 in Bowie County Court at Law. Minter alleges Steward failed to pay her from March 31, 2023, through Oct. 31, 2023, resulting in an outstanding balance of $88,967.92.

The amount includes services, mileage and expenses, according to the lawsuit..

Minter is represented by Marshall Wood and Jaci Roberts Berry of Texarkana law firm Norton and Wood.

Steward’s principal address is in Boston, according to court documents.

Minter is the sole provider for her household and has relied upon wages from Steward to provide for herself and her husband, according to the lawsuit. She is seeking monetary relief of $250,000 or less, excluding interest, statutory or exemplary damages and penalties, attorney fees and court costs.

Minter claims she provided courier and mailing services for Steward for years. She alleges the company often was late on paying her invoices and often would not pay the full amount, resulting in a growing balance.

In March 2023, Steward stopped making payments altogether while still engaging Minter’s services, according to the lawsuit.

Minter claims in the suit that she started working for Wadley before Steward purchased the hospital in October 2017 and experienced no difficulties receiving payment from the previous owner.

Minter also claims that until Sept. 8, 2023, she and Steward were operating through an open account process. She would provide invoices for services rendered to which the defendant would pay.

After that date, she and the defendant entered a contract for a one-year term, but Steward failed to make payments in accordance with that contract, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that Steward at no time has objected to Minter’s invoices.

Minter also claims in the lawsuit that she has “begged and pleaded” with Steward on multiple occasions for the company to pay all or part of her invoices, even to the point of telling the company she is facing eviction and no longer has the ability to pay for basic necessities for herself and her husband.

Steward had not responded to a request for comment by Friday afternoon.