HOUSTON - Yesterday, the 14th Court of Appeals dismissed a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former firefighter claiming he was discriminated against when his employment was allegedly terminated because on his race.
In July of 2018, Madison Garner filed suit against the city of Houston, asserting that the station he worked at was “reputed for discriminating against Black cadets and making them resign,” court records state.
Garner was hired as a cadet by the Houston Fire Department in July 2015. On Oct. 13, 2016, his employment was terminated based on “a pattern of low performance and repeated failures” and “his failure to fulfill the requirements of a Probationary Firefighter,” court records state.
Court records show the city filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that it was immune from Garner’s suit because he could not establish a prima facie case of race discrimination or a hostile work environment.
A trial court denied the motion and the city appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in denying its motion because Garner did not present any evidence to establish a prima facie case of race discrimination and a hostile work environment.
The 14th Court reversed the trial court’s order, rendering judgment granting the city’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing Garner’s claims.
Case No. 14-20-00688-CV