Former employee says Lufkin Industries terminated him for taking medical leave

LUFKIN - A fabrication department employee has filed a lawsuit against his employer claiming he was fired for attempting to take medical leave to treat his reactive airway disorder.

Marcus Ray Harrelson filed suit against Lufkin Industries Inc. on May 28 in the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division.

Harrelson was a long-term employee of the defendant in its fabrication department in Lufkin. He suffers from a reactive airway disorder and he requested Family and Medical Leave Act leave on May 4, 2012.

According to the lawsuit, Harrelson was terminated by the defendant on June 11, 2012 for absences caused by his serious medical condition.

The defendant is accused of violating the Family and Medical Leave Act by refusing to grant Harrelson’s various leaves of absence between May 4, 2012 and June 11, 2012.

The plaintiff is seeking an injunction to stop further FMLA violations and for an award of damages for all monetary losses, liquidated damages, attorney’s fees, and court costs.

Harrelson is represented by Lufkin attorney Charles R. Dendy. A jury trial is requested.

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

Case No. 9:13-cv-00111