African-American nursing assistant files age and racial discrimination lawsuit

SHERMAN - An African-American nursing assistant has filed an age and racial discrimination lawsuit against her former employer claiming that she was terminated instead of receiving a transfer like similarly situated white nursing assistants.

Cheryl Reeves filed suit against LHP Hospital Group Inc., LHP Sherman/Grayson and Texas Health Resources, doing business as Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-WNJ on March 7 in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas.

Reeves was employed by the defendants at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-WNJ in Sherman and their predecessors for approximately 17 years. At the time of her discharge on Feb. 21, 2012, she was employed as a nurse’s assistant on the Ground South unit.

According to the lawsuit, at the end of January 2012, the Director of Nursing announced that the day staff on Ground South would be moving to 4 West. Reeves, the only African-American working on Ground South, was told that she would have to apply for a transfer and be selected, according to the suit. On Feb. 21, 2012, she was terminated from her position.

The defendant is accused of age discrimination in violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and race discrimination in violation of Reeves’ civil rights.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for mental anguish, liquidated damages, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs and interest.

Reeves is represented by Sherman attorney Ronald Huff. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell is assigned to the case.

Case No. 4:13-cv-00124