A Seabrook man is suing his former employer, alleging discriminatory practices.
Michael J. Waugh filed a lawsuit June 25 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against International SOS Assistance, alleging violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
According to the complaint, Waugh began working for the defendant as a regional security manager Nov. 12, 2012. In April 2013, the suit states, Waugh fell and suffered a concussion and a dislocated his shoulder, for which he was required to take time off to undergo surgery.
In September 2013, Waugh applied for a security director position, for which he met all the qualifications but was not contacted for an interview, the lawsuit says. Instead, Ken Walton, who is substantially younger than Waugh, was named to the security director position, the suit says.
Walton then began to deny Waugh's expense reports and refused to pay his travel costs, which the previous director had approved and allowed, the suit states. Waugh informed Walton of his physical conditions in order to seek workplace accommodations, the suit says, and he also informed Walton he needed to take time off for doctor's appointments to treat his condition.
On Dec. 13, 2013, the suit states, the plaintiff was terminated by Walton and by Shannon Serrill, the company's human resources director, but they gave him no reason for his termination.
Waugh seeks actual, liquidated, compensatory and punitive damages, equitable relief, attorney fees and court costs. He is represented by attorneys Nasim Ahmad and Delana Cline of Cline Ahmad in The Woodlands, and by Joseph Y. Ahmad (of counsel) of Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:15-cv-01815.