A Grayson County man is suing over claims his employment with the city of Sherman was unfairly terminated.
Joey D. Barnett filed a lawsuit April 17 in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas against the city of Sherman, citing violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and The Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, Barnett had been a custodian in the Building Services department of the city of Sherman for more than 13 years when he underwent an anterior cervical vertebral fusion on Feb. 2, 2012.
Barnett states his doctor placed two-year restrictions on his movements, such as lifting objects more than 50 pounds, but alleges his supervisors vigorously denied the restrictions and used it to harass him.
After multiple consultations with the doctor who upheld the restrictions and complaints to human resources, Barnett was put on forced leave on April 11, 2013, and fired July 17.
Barnett says he performed all essential duties of his employment and his termination was in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and The Family and Medical Leave Act.
Barnett is seeking damages within the jurisdictional limits of the court.
He is being represented in the case by attorney Ronald R. Huff.
Eastern District Court of Texas Case No. 4:14-cv-241
This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Eastern District Court of Texas. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.