ALEXANDRIA, La. – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleges a Louisiana wood products manufacturing company violated federal law when it terminated a worker’s employment after learning he had a seizure, in a lawsuit filed.
The EEOC filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Alexandria Division.
In its 13-page complaint, the EEOC alleges defendant Hunt Forest Products LLC required the worker, Thomas J. Benedetti, to undergo an exam because of a seizure he had in May 2023.
The examining neurologist recommended Benedetti not drive or operate heavy machinery for six months.
Although Benedetti’s duties did not involve these tasks, and he was able to continue performing his job safely, Hunt Forest Products terminated him.
“Defendant terminated Mr. Benedetti’s employment because of his actual or perceived impairment,” the commission’s suit states.
“While employed with Defendant, Mr. Benedetti’s primary job duty was to perform clean-up work in the log deck and lathe line area. In his employment, Mr. Benedetti also performed maintenance checks on machinery inside the mill, such as chains, belts, motors, and gear boxes, but never operated machinery.”
The commission contends that such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA.
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in various areas of life, including employment and transportation.
“Federal law requires employers to engage in an interactive process to determine whether an employee’s specific circumstances pose a threat that cannot be eliminated with reasonable accommodation,” said Jacqueline Barber, a senior trial attorney in the EEOC’s New Orleans field office. “Employers must base these assessments on facts, not assumptions or stereotypes.”
The EEOC argues that if Benedetti had posed a direct threat to safety, such threat could have been reduced or eliminated through “reasonable accommodation.”
Instead, Hunt Forest did not engage in an interactive process with Benedetti, the EEOC claims.
“It’s against federal law to fire an employee because of doctor-imposed restrictions that do not affect job performance,” said Michael Kirkland, director of the EEOC’s New Orleans field office.
According to the lawsuit, Benedetti has not experienced any seizures after the one on May 12, 2023.
The EEOC is the federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
The commission seeks an order requiring Hunt Forest to institute and carry out policies, practices, and programs that provide equal employment opportunities for qualified individuals with disabilities and that “eradicate the effects of its past and present unlawful employment practices.”
It also seeks back pay with prejudgment interest for Benedetti, provide him compensation for past and future losses, compensation for his emotional pain and suffering, punitive damages, and award the commission its costs.
