HOUSTON - Harris County resident Wardell Jackson is suing Hill-Rom Inc. after he was allegedly fired for filing a complaint, recent court documents say.
A lawsuit filed Feb. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas states Hill-Rom's apparent actions were retaliatory in nature.
The company hired Jackson to a field service representative position on Feb. 27, 2006.
In November 2008, he sustained a severe injury while on the clock and was declared inactive by the defendant.
According to the lawsuit, Hill-Rom then contacted the plaintiff sometime in early 2010 and asked him to return to work.
Jackson returned, however, he could not stand, turn, bend or reach for longer periods of time, the suit says.
The original petition also states that in March 2011 the respondent directed Jackson to leave work and not come back until he was medically cleared by company doctors, stating he obtained clearance but his requests for reinstatement were "consistently" ignored.
Close to the end of 2011, Jackson's treating physician informed him that his employer's insurance plan no longer covered him.
At the time, the plaintiff had just filed a discrimination complaint against the company.
He alleges it was because of that complaint that Hill-Rom sacked him.
A jury trial is requested.
Attorney Justin Mueller of Houston is representing the plaintiff.
Case No. 4:13-CV-336
Harris Co. man claims termination caused by discrimination complaint
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