GALVESTON - In response to his termination from the city of Clute for taking disability leave, Terry L. Fields has filed a lawsuit.
Court papers filed July 6 in the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas state that Fields, a former paramedic, tried to inform the city that he was on doctor's orders to rest only to be fired.
The respondent hired Fields in July 2010. According to the original petition, the plaintiff informed his supervisor that he suffered from bipolar disorder, major depression and anxiety disability in June 2011.
He called in and notified his employer that he would be absent from work as a result of the disability and was given approval. Fields saw his physician the next month and was put on medication with instructions to take a few days off from work until July 7, 2011.
The suit further explains that the complainant contacted the city about his medically-induced leave, but was told he was of no use anymore.
The city also terminated Fields without giving him a chance to appeal during the same conversation, it says.
Fields insists that "the defendant totally and recklessly disregarded any and all federally protected employment rights."
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Clark S. Woodson III of Angleton is representing the plaintiff.
Case No. 3:12-cv-204