Injured worker seeks compensation citing ADA violation

A Harris County worker brought suit against his employers on grounds of alleged disability discrimination in a 2013 incident.

Sarafadeen Rufai of Houston filed a lawsuit on April 2 against Elwood Staffing of Columbus, Ind., and Schlumberger Technology Corp. of Dallas in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, claiming violation of disability law in a 2013 accident.

According to the lawsuit, Rufai suffered severe injuries in a work-related accident on March 30, 2013. After a 12-day hospitalization and physical therapy, his doctors said he could no longer perform the same jobs he did prior to the accident. It states that the defendants were aware of his limitations; and that instead of accommodating his restrictions, they chose to terminate him instead.

Citing infringement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the plaintiff filed an action with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and received a notice of his right to sue. Rufai asserts that his former employers’ actions have caused lost wages and benefits, and mental and emotional distress, according to court documents.

The plaintiff alleges that these actions were intentional and done with indifference to his federally protected rights. He seeks injunctive relief; reinstatement; full front and back pay with benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; attorney’s fees; expenses; and costs. Rufai is represented by Wakil Oyedimi of Oyedimi and Associates in Sugar Land.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case no. 4:15-CV-00867.