An African-American crane operator working at the Motiva Refinery has filed a lawsuit against his employer for allegedly terminating him due to his race.
Benjamin Adams filed suit against Becon Construction Co. Inc. on Aug. 3 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.
Adams was hired as one of defendant's crane operators at the Motiva Refinery in November 2008. According to the lawsuit, Adams operated the same crane at the Motiva Refinery for more than 35 years with different contractors.
He states that a new supervisor gave him a non-written test, which he allegedly failed.
Adams accuses the defendant of intentionally discriminating against him because of his race in violation of his civil rights.
After he was terminated by the defendant, Adams was hired by another contractor to operate the same crane in the same Motiva refinery.
The plaintiff is seeking damages for back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, exemplary damages, attorney's fees and court costs.
Adams is represented by Kenneth W. Lewis and Stephen L. Townsend of Bush Lewis in Beaumont. A jury trial is requested.
Case No. 1:12-cv-00383