HOUSTON — A Houston woman is suing her former employer, alleging she was terminated due to a medical condition.
Wendy Mechelle filed a complaint July 22 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against USA Industries Inc., alleging violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and retaliation.
According to the complaint, Mechelle began working for USA Industries as a marketing manager Feb. 13, 2018, and was regarded as a stellar employee. The plaintiff said she suffered a flareup of her complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in September 2018 and made a request for a service dog on Sept. 20, 2018.
On Oct. 3, 2018, Mechelle said, she showed a doctor's note to her supervisor, proving that she did indeed need the accommodation. The suit alleges USA Industries failed to respond to the plaintiff's request for accommodation, and Mechelle was terminated over the phone that same day.
The suit alleges no reason was give to the plaintiff for her termination and in the termination letter she received, it contained false and pretextual reasons for Mechelle's firing.
Mechelle seeks trial by jury, liquidated damages, punitive damages, compensatory damages, court costs, attorney fees and all other just and proper relief. She is represented by attorneys Joshua A. Verde andf Andrew R. Young of The Verde Law Firm PLLC in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:19-CV-02679