Grimes Co. woman says she was fired for having back problems

HOUSTON - A Grimes County woman alleges Able Glass and Mirror Co., Inc. terminated her because she had back problems, recent court papers say.

In a lawsuit filed Dec. 19 in Houston federal court, Bedias resident Christine Safford asserts Able discriminated against her because of her disability before her supposed firing.

Safford worked for the defendant from February 2010 to February 2012.

The suit shows that she began having back problems in July 2011 "which became increasingly worse."

Diagnosed with "a bulging disc in her back" a month later, the plaintiff subsequently underwent physical therapy.

She also had foot surgery to which her immediate supervisor purportedly "threw a fit."

Meanwhile, the claimant experienced more back pain.

"It became difficult for her to get up out of her chair while at work, and the pain also started affected her legs," the original petition says.

"Safford's co-workers witnessed now her pain affected her."

On Feb. 22, 2012, Able dismissed Safford on the guise the company was "going in a different direction."

Her supervisor allegedly told one of her co-workers afterwards that she "preferred hiring males because they do not have health issues and do not ask for time off."

A jury trial is requested.

Attorney Daryl J. Sinkule of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP in Houston is representing the plaintiff.

Case No. 4:13-CV-3713