GALVESTON — Two employees are suing an offshore drilling company, alleging discrimination led to their termination.
James Patterson and Antonio May filed a lawsuit April 19 the Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc., alleging failure to follow safety procedures and discrimination.
According to the complaint, on May 30, 2015, Patterson, who is white, and May, who is black, were exposed to dangerous environment while employed on a mobile drilling oil rig and were wrongfully terminated because of their race. Patterson has a black wife.
The plaintiffs allege Diamond refused to rectify the dangerous environment despite having knowledge of the potential hazards. The suit says the defendant also discriminated against the plaintiffs based on race and the race of Patterson's spouse.
Patterson and May seek a trial by jury, back pay and lost benefits, reinstatement or front pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, interest, all legal fees and any other relief the court deems just. They are represented by attorney David C. Holmes of Houston.
Galveston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 3:16-cv-00103