Truck driver says age a reason behind termination

HOUSTON - Montgomery County resident John Wayne Bridges complains that Weatherford International Ltd. and Weatherford US LP fired him because of his age, recent court documents say. 

A lawsuit filed Jan. 28 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas claims the defendants terminated him after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Arkansas, but retained younger employees who experienced similar situations.

The 69-year-old Bridges began working for Weatherford in August 2003.

The suit explains that on Apr. 14, 2011, the plaintiff was driving along Interstate 30 in search of a vacant truck stop when he fell asleep at the wheel and ended up in the woods about 5 miles outside of Arkadelphia, Ark.

Bridges was rushed to the nearest hospital and released after he awakened.

After securing a ride back to Conroe, the plaintiff, who did not receive any citations, was put to work in the yard at Weatherford while an investigation was pending.

He then requested a four-day vacation, but was terminated on May 13, 2011, not "for the wreck itself but for the cost of the wreck," the original petition says.

Bridges insists there were younger drivers who were in accidents worse than his who were not terminated, stating his age had a lot to do with his dismissal.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Jo Miller with the Law Office of Jo Miller PLLC in Conroe is representing the plaintiff.

Case No. 4:13-CV-214