Worker claims discrimination by Tyler Chamber over HIV status

TYLER - A Tyler worker has filed a disability discrimination lawsuit that claims he was fired from his job once his employer discovered he had HIV.

Justin Gregory Turner filed suit against Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 24 in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division.

Turner was hired by the defendant as an employee in November 2001 and terminated in December 2010, according to the suit.

In the fall of 2010, the suit states that Turner suffered a spinal infection which caused him to miss work for approximately one month. The defendant allegedly terminated Turner for poor performance due to his illness and other factors.

Turner claims he was terminated because the defendant learned that he was diagnosed with HIV after the spinal infection.

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce is accused of disability discrimination or perceived disability discrimination.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for back pay, salary, wages and fringe benefits, emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages, attorney’s fees and court costs.

Turner is represented by Lynn S. Patton and Joe B. Young of Patton, Nix & Young LLP in Longview.

U.S. District Judge Leonard E. David is assigned to the case.

Case No. 6:13-cv-00095