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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Sales rep. sues former employer claiming pregnancy discrimination

SHERMAN - A sales representative has filed a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit claiming she was terminated from her position after she was forced to take bed rest during her pregnancy.

Anissa Brooke Benefield filed suit against Poly Pharmaceuticals on Aug. 20 in the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division. 

Benefield was hired by the defendant in August 2012 as a national sales representative. In January, Benefield says she notified her supervisor that she was pregnant.

According to the lawsuit, her doctor ordered her to call in sick and take bed rest.

Benefield alleges Poly Pharmaceuticals repeatedly tried to contact her and urging her to make sales calls and get updates on pending sales. She was released back to work on March 5, but when she attempted to return to work she was told that her employment had been terminated for insubordination, according to the suit.

The defendant is accused of unlawfully discriminating against Benefield based upon her pregnancy in violation of her civil rights.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for lost wages and benefits, back pay, interest, compensatory damages for emotional pain and suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and liquidated damages, attorney’s fees and court costs.

Benefield is represented by Nicholas A. O’Kelly of Kilgore & Kilgore PLLC in Dallas. A jury trial is requested.

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

Case No. 4:13-cv-00477

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