SHERMAN - A Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against her former employer claiming that she was terminated while on medical leave.
Patti Williams filed suit against Luminator Holding L.P. on Aug. 17 in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The case was removed to the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division on Nov. 26.
The plaintiff alleges she worked for the defendant as the marketing manager for the Plano-based Luminator's Aerospace Division from May 2, 2011, until she was wrongfully terminated on May 16, 2012.
According to the lawsuit, in March, Williams was "hospitalized after working 72 hours without rest or food." The court papers do not provide any further details about her hospitalization, except to state that on April 2, "Plaintiff had colon surgery."
Williams states she then filed for six to eight weeks of leave under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Five days before the medical leave was scheduled to end, the defendant contacted Williams stating the leave was expiring.
Williams claims her physician sent additional paperwork extending the medical leave by six to eight more weeks. However, she was fired within a few days, according to her lawsuit.
The defendant is accused of discrimination for terminating Williams’ employment while she was on leave covered by the FMLA.
The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for lost wages, salary, employment benefits, compensation denied or lost, liquidated damages, attorneys’ fees, court costs and interest.
Williams is represented by Matthew R. Scott, Joe Kendall and Jamie J. McKey of The Kendall Law Group in Dallas. A jury trial is requested.
U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.
Case No. 4:12-cv-00734
Woman claims she was fired while on medical leave
