Lawsuit says company fired claims manager on maternity leave

HOUSTON - Harris County resident Erica Lewis claims CB&I Inc. fired her for taking maternity leave and is pursuing legal action.

Lewis filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas on Oct. 1.

CB&I hired the plaintiff as a claims manager in August 2011.

She became pregnant with a boy shortly afterwards and informed her supervisor of the event.

According to the suit, said supervisor's attitude toward Lewis took a hostile turn.

"The defendant regularly berated and admonished the plaintiff in the presence of other co-employees," the original petition says.

It adds the company required the claimant to provide a doctor's note and proof of other doctor visits "when other employees were not required to do so for sick leave."

The respondent also denied Lewis employee training and development opportunities which were afforded to male and non-pregnant claims managers, the suit says.

In February 2012, the plaintiff went on the aforementioned leave and subsequently gave birth to her son.

CB&I terminated her in writing a month later, reportedly replacing her with a male employee as well as hiring another full-time claims manager.

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Shelly M. Davis of The Davis Law Firm in Houston is representing Lewis.

Case No. 4:13-CV-2894