Beaumont company sued for supervisor’s alleged use of racial slurs

An African American warehouse worker has filed a lawsuit against a Beaumont company claiming that a supervisor’s use of racial slurs was a form of racial discrimination. 

Derrick Ardoin filed suit against Triple R Brothers Ltd., doing business as Ritter@Home and Ritter Lumber Co., on April 30 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

Ardoin is a black male who was hired by the defendant in early April 2012. He claims that his supervisor repeatedly referred to him in a racially derogatory manner. According to the lawsuit, he reported the behavior to another supervisor, who said she could do nothing about it. Ardoin states that the discrimination increased after he complained about the behavior.

The defendants are accused of racial discrimination and unlawfully retaliating against Ardoin because he opposed an unlawful practice. The lawsuit states that Ardoin’s managers said “since he had contacted the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, defendant no longer needed plaintiff working for them.”

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for back pay, front pay, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life, exemplary damages, attorney fees and court costs.

Ardoin is represented by Kenneth W. Lewis and Stephen L. Townsend of Bush Lewis in Beaumont. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:13-cv-00260