Manager sues for gender, racial discrimination after not receiving promotion

SHERMAN - An area manager for a medical equipment provider has filed a discrimination lawsuit which claims she was passed over for promotion due to her race and gender.

Stephanie Hill filed suit against Armstrong Industries Inc., doing business as Mediquip International Inc., in Collin County District Court. The defendant removed the case to the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division on May 2.

Hill is a Hispanic female who worked for the defendant since January 2005 as a Fort Worth area manager. She states a white male was given the position of North Texas Regional Manager in March 2010.

Hill states she had more seniority than the white male and was not given an opportunity to be considered for the position. She claims she asked the defendant's CEO and vice president about the opportunity and was told that she was too unassertive and quiet for the position, according to the plaintiff's complaint.

Several months later, Hill says she was asked to sign a non-compete agreement and when she refused to sign it, was terminated on March 1.

The defendant is accused of gender and racial discrimination in violation of Hill's civil rights.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for reputational injury, pecuniary losses, emotional pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, non-pecuniary losses, exemplary damages, interest, attorney's fees and court costs.

Hill is represented by Craig M. Crockett of Crockett Firm in Fort Worth. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:11-cv-00251