A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging race and disability discrimination. Tracy Benjamin filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on September 6, 2024, naming Hub Legacy, LLC as the defendant.
According to the court documents, Tracy Benjamin began her employment with Hub Enterprises, Inc., now known as Hub Legacy, LLC, in April 2018. She held the position of Security Guard until her termination in July 2023. Throughout her tenure, Benjamin claims she was denied raises and promotions due to her race. The complaint further alleges that in December 2022, Benjamin informed Hub Legacy of physical restrictions and disabilities related to her knees and requested job accommodations. Initially, these requests were accommodated by the company; however, starting in July 2023, Hub Legacy allegedly refused to continue providing these accommodations.
Benjamin states that she attempted to engage in an interactive process with the company regarding her needs but was met with resistance. On July 27, 2023, Hub Legacy terminated both the interactive process and Benjamin's employment. Following this termination, Benjamin filed a charge of discrimination based on disability with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and received a notice of right to sue on June 10, 2024.
The lawsuit accuses Hub Legacy of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended by the Civil Rights Act of 1991) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Specifically, it claims that Hub Legacy engaged in race discrimination under 42 U.S.C. Section 2000e et seq., and disability discrimination under 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq., along with corresponding state laws La. R.S. 23:301 et seq., and La. R.S. 23:323 et seq.
Benjamin asserts that these actions were performed with malice or reckless indifference to her federally protected rights and caused her significant emotional distress alongside economic harm. She is seeking several forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgment that Hub Legacy's practices were illegal; reinstatement or front pay along with lost future wages; back pay including prejudgment interest; compensatory and liquidated damages; coverage of legal costs including attorneys' fees; a jury trial for all matters triable by jury; and any other equitable relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Tracy Benjamin is attorney Allison A. Jones from Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite located at Shreveport, Louisiana.