HOUSTON - A Nevada man alleges he lost his job in Houston because he had a disability, recent court documents say.
According to a lawsuit filed Jan. 17 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, BDO USA LLP mistreated and then terminated Timothy Mathis after he sought accommodations while he recovered from a series of surgeries.
The defendant hired Mathis on Mar. 31, 2008, as a senior tax manager and Southwestern regional leader for research and development tax services. His market included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri and Tennessee.
The suit explains that Mathis was hit by a car in the defendant's parking garage as he left a business meeting on Aug. 21, 2009. Mathis claims he underwent medical supervision and therapy for the following four months. He also had an operation in January 2010.
He claims his injuries made it difficult to sit for long periods of time or lift more than 10 pounds, however, he was still able to perform his job successfully, the original petition states.
It further asserts that Mathis became the target of "negative comments or sarcastic jokes" and was denied raises and bonuses apparently because of his condition.
He applied for a Family and Medical Leave Act mandated reduced work week on June 10, 2011, only to be terminated "without any prior notice of any kind" three days later, the suit says.
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Martin A. Shellist with Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP is representing the plaintiff.
Case No. 4:13-CV-154
Nevada man's request for reduced work week earns termination
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY