Hunt Forest Products, L.L.C., a Ruston, Louisiana-based wood products manufacturing company, violated federal law when it terminated a laborer’s employment after learning he had a seizure while not at work, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleged in a lawsuit.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, Hunt Forest Products required the worker to undergo an examination because of a seizure he had in May 2023.

The examining neurologist recommended that the worker refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery for six months. Although the worker’s duties did not involve these restricted tasks, and the worker was able to continue performing his job safely, Hunt Forest Products terminated him because of the restrictions.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits employers from discharging an employee because of their disability. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Hunt Forest Products, L.L.C., Case No. 1:26-cv-03770) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Louisiana Manufacturing