A harrowing tale of alleged workplace discrimination and negligence has emerged from the Eastern District of Louisiana, where a former employee has filed a lawsuit against his employer, Westport Linen Services, LLC, and several associated parties. On February 27, 2025, Gertrand Isidore initiated legal proceedings against Westport Linen Services, Bryan Palmer, and unnamed co-conspirators (DOES 1 through 20), accusing them of violating his constitutional rights and subjecting him to discriminatory practices.
Gertrand Isidore's complaint paints a grim picture of his employment experience at Westport Linen Services. He claims that he was hired at below-market wages due to his race and national origin as an African American man of Haitian descent. The lawsuit alleges that Isidore was subjected to unsafe working conditions that led to a catastrophic accident in which he lost an eye and became permanently disabled in one arm. "The Defendants conspired with each other...to have him work under unsafe conditions," the complaint states. Furthermore, Isidore accuses the defendants of failing to provide necessary safety information in French or Haitian Creole, languages he understands well.
The lawsuit highlights multiple legal violations by the defendants, including breaches of federal laws such as 42 U.S.C. §1981 for racial discrimination in contract enforcement and violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Additionally, Isidore claims breach of contract for not providing a safe work environment and failure to process his injury claim adequately. The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $1 million for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, punitive damages for fraud committed by the defendants during his employment period, and compensation for legal fees incurred.
Isidore is represented by Pius A. Obioha from the Law Offices of Pius A. Obioha & Associates LLC. The case is being heard under Case No.: 2:25-cv-00410 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.