La. man accuses Shell of age discrimination

A Louisiana man has sued Shell Oil, alleging age discrimination.

Doug Fontenot filed a lawsuit Feb. 4 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Shell Energy Resources Company and Shell Exploration and Production Company of Houston, citing unlawful employment practices due to Fontenot's age and disabilities.

According to the complaint, Fontenot, 61, worked as a contractor of Shell Oil in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore between 2003 and 2012. Following a transfer to Texas from Pennsylvania, the suit states, fellow employees harassed him by making comments about his age, hearing disability and dietary habits Fontenot said he was vegan in an effort to combat prostate cancer.

Fontenot alleges the remarks escalated, his peers avoided him, and that in a November 2013 meeting, his expertise was questioned due to his age. Fontenot appealed to higher-ups for help but was told his allegations could not be verified, the suit states.

The suit states Fontenot was terminated May 15, 2014, and the defendants engaged in discriminatory conduct based on his disabilities.

Fontenot seeks declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, compensatory and/or liquidated damages, attorney fees, expenses and costs. He is represented by attorneys Jane Legler Byrne and Christine Neill of Neil & Byrne in Dallas.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number: 4:15-CV-00314