Louisiana Dept. of Transportation employee sues claiming fired over medical leave

An employee of Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development has filed a lawsuit claiming he was terminated for taking medical leave.

Claiming violations of the Family Medical Leave Act, Jason Bryant Majesty filed suit against Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and Thomas Landry on March 30 in Tangipahoa Judicial District Court. The defendant removed the case to federal court in New Orleans on April 26.

Majesty was hired by the DOTD in June 2009 as an electrical specialist, the suit claims. He was approved for medical leave in June 2010 due to uncontrolled high blood pressure. The day he returned from leave he was terminated in July 2010 for not meeting work performance standards.

Majesty claims he never received any write-ups and his performance evaluations showed he met or exceeded the standards of the DOTD. Majesty states the reason he was terminated was pretextual and he really lost his job for exercising his right to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for loss of wages, loss of enjoyment of personal, professional and family life, damage to personal and professional reputations, mental anguish, distress, punitive damages, attorney's fees, court costs and interest.

Majesty is represented by J. Arthur Smith III and Seth M. Bornier of The Smith Law Firm in Baton Rouge.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00985