SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

MARSHALL - A 61-year-old office assistant has filed a discrimination lawsuit claiming she was terminated as a result of her age.

Deborah Gail Powell filed suit against Trinity Mother Francis Health System on Sept. 9 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

Powell was hired by the defendant in 1988 and worked as an office assistant at the Trinity Clinic Orthopedics in Tyler. In June 2010, a new manager was assigned to the clinic where Powell was assigned.

Powell claims that the new manager began instituting adverse employment actions to employees who were over 40 years of age.  She was terminated in July 2012 at the age of 61, according to the suit.

The defendant is accused of violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for back pay, including lost wages, health care benefits, and other employment benefits, actual damages, liquidated damages, compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, attorney’s fees and court costs.

Powell is represented by Rockwall attorney of Joe C. Tooley.  A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:13-cv-00698