LUFKIN - A Georgia-Pacific employee has filed a lawsuit against the railroad after he lost his job only a week after requesting medical leave.
Bobby Conner filed suit against Georgia-Pacific on Aug. 30 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.
Conner was employed by Georgia-Pacific from March 21, 2006, until May 21, 2010. He states he was diagnosed with non-controlled diabetes, in 1997, which required him to be off work various times for appointments.
According to the lawsuit, on May 14, 2010, Conner's doctor filled out a medical certification form he received from Georgia-Pacific that stated Conner would need to be absent from work on an intermittent basis for the next year due to his medical condition. Within a week, Conner was terminated from his position.
The defendant is accused of unlawful employment practices and for terminating Conner in violation of his rights pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act.
The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages, attorney's fees and court costs.
Conner is represented by Lufkin attorney Charles R. Dendy.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 9:11-cv-00140