Worker alleges employment law violations

A Harris County woman has sued Southwestern Bell for alleged violation of employment law.

Christine Miller filed a lawsuit Feb. 23 against Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, doing business as a AT&T Texas, in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

According to the complaint, Miller, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was employed by the defendant from August 2000 until her termination in August 2013, and she took medical leave in 2012, approved as short-term disability. She returned to work in September 2012 when threatened with termination for insubordination and refusal to return to work, the suit states, and Southwestern Bell then suspended Miller without pay in July 2013, saying she misused company funds. Miller filed with the EEOC on July 15, 2013 and was terminated Aug. 2, 2013, according to the suit.

Miller alleges failure to provide reasonable accommodation for her disability, discrimination and retaliation, and distress, lost wages and benefits.

Miller seeks: equitable relief; front and back pay; actual, compensatory, liquidated and punitive damages; attorney and experts fees; expenses; and costs.

She is represented by attorneys Lionel Martin and Melissa Garcia-Martin of Garcia-Martin & Martin in Stafford.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number: 4:15-cv-00490