Woman claims insurance agency discriminated because of age

BEAUMONT-A Jefferson County resident has filed an age discrimination lawsuit against her former employer in an effort to obtain a reinstatement to her former position and pay grade.

Claiming violation of the Age Discrimination of Employment Act, Judy N. Pree filed suit against Framers Insurance Exchange on Nov. 10 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

According to the lawsuit, Pree started working for the defendant in Feb. 1993 as a mail clerk and was promoted to the position of field claims representative.

Pree claims the harassment started in 2009 during a department meeting when a supervisor stated anyone that is eligible for retirement should do so and she was the only one remotely close to retirement age.

She states she was discriminated against by her supervisor when he prevented her from taking certification tests and subjected her to numerous field evaluations.

After Pree filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, she was transferred to another supervisor but she states the discrimination continued. Pree was terminated from her position in October.

The defendant is accused of intentionally engaged in unlawful employment practices involving Pree because of her age and violated the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

Pree is seeking damages for back pay, court costs, attorney's fees, emotional pain, inconvenience, interest, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of benefits and interest.

Pree is also asking the court to order the defendant to reinstate her to her former position and pay grade which she held prior to the unlawful employment practices.

The plaintiff is represented by Houston attorney Allecia Lindsey Pottinger. Jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:10-cv-00723