Harris County police officer alleges age, disability discrimination

A man sued a municipality for alleged violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Donald Robertson filed the suit against Harris County, Texas in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on May 19, claiming age and disability discrimination by his employer.

The plaintiff, hired as a deputy sheriff by the jurisdiction on Sept. 21, 1990, served continuously through 2006, the suit states, being reappointed multiple times without any termination clause in his paperwork. According to the complaint, when Robertson was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident at work on June 24, 2006, the defendant knew that he was not at fault.

The complaint states that Robertson was dismissed on Dec. 12, 2012 and not asked to be reinstated despite medical records deeming him fit to work. Alleging that Harris County was informed of Robertson’s status but created its own report apparently fictitiously lowering his impairment percentage, the suit claims that the plaintiff, who was over 40, was unlawfully terminated; and that many other officers injured in the line of duty were accommodated by the defendant.

Alleging infringement of employment law, denial of reasonable accommodations and intentional age discrimination, the complaint cites mental anguish and emotional distress. Robertson seeks compensation for lost pay and benefits, including retirement benefits; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorney’s fees; expenses; and costs.

He is represented by attorney Nathan Beedle of The Woodlands.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-01347