Hotel employee claims violations of disability act

SHERMAN - A disabled maintenance employee is suing his employer claiming he has been subjected to a hostile work environment after being called names and humiliated due to his disability.

Mark Reed filed suit against La Quinta Inns & Suites Inc., La Quinta Inns Inc., LQ Management, HVM/LQ Management and Rusty Weatherly on Nov. 23 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division.

According to the lawsuit, Reed suffers from a severe and complete deformity of his left arm and left hand, rendering him disabled within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He states he has been employed with La Quinta as a maintenance employee for approximately 11 years.

Reed states that in mid-year 2009 and continuing in frequency and intensity, the defendants created a hostile work environment based on his disability.

He states he was called derogatory names such as "short-handed" and humiliated and laughed at because of his disability. Reed claims the treatment was so severe that he became physically and mental ill, causing him to miss work, seek medical attention and avoid employees.

After Reed filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, he states his employment conditions changed for the worse. His workload has increased, overtime opportunities have been reduced and the availability of a part time helper has been reduced .

The defendants are accused of violating the Americans with Disability Act through discrimination, hostile work environment and retaliation.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for economic losses and costs, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages, attorney's fees, court costs, interest, attorney's fees and punitive damages.

Reed is represented by David Curtis of David Curtis & Associates in Dallas. Jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:10-cv-00645