Winfrey`s new network sued by ex-employee

London: A woman who worked in Oprah Winfrey`s new TV network OWN is suing the company, alleging she was "subjected to a hostile work environment" due to her disability.

Catherine Dunn, who suffers from multiple sclerosis - a disease of the central nervous system, started as an assistant at the cable channel in 2008. She claims she was badly treated because of her condition, and was forced to take leave because her symptoms were worsened by the stress of working in a "hostile" environment. Dunn alleges in a suit filed Friday at Los Angeles Superior Court that while she was on stress-related leave, she was replaced by "a non-disabled and younger employee", reported contactmusic.com. Dunn is suing the network for wrongful termination and is seeking unspecified damages. Winfrey`s network will debut in early 2011. IANS