LUFKIN - An African-American truck driver has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against his employer claiming that he was fired for complaining about discrimination.
Bartholomew Booth filed suit against Heckmann Water Resources Corp. on Jan. 18 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.
Booth was hired as a truck driver by Bear Creek Environmental in Aug. 30, 2010, and transitioned to working for the defendant. Booth claims he noticed that management treated African-American employees at Heckmann’s Appleby yard differently; employees were spoken to in a demeaning manner, subjected to different rules than whites and denied benefits and privileges.
Booth states he complained about the disparate treatment on Jan. 10, 2012, and was terminated the next day.
The defendant is accused of violating Booth’s civil rights by committing discrimination and retaliation.
The plaintiff is seeking a permanent injunction stopping the defendant from further discrimination and an award of damages for back pay, reinstatement or front pay, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, loss of benefits, compensatory damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, interest and court costs.
Booth is represented by Marjorie A. Murphy of The Murphy Law Practice in Houston. A jury trial is requested.
Case No. 9:13-cv-00018
African-American truck driver sues employer claiming disparate treatment
