A jury in Victoria, Texas has awarded $257,048 to Ramundo Ruiz, a former security officer at the federal courthouse in Victoria, Texas.

Ruiz worked as a federal courthouse guard until 2006, when he was fired after failing a hearing test. Ruiz was not allowed to use a hearing aid in that test. Ruiz can hear well when he wears his hearing aid, and workplace rules permitted him to wear hearing aids while he worked

The jury found that not allowing Ruiz to wear hearing aids during a test, and losing his job because of it, when he could wear them on the job without any issue, was discrimination because of his disability. The jury awarded him $257,048.

If the jury’s verdict is upheld on appeal, this case could set precedent for many of the federal court guards who have been similarly affected.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act amendments that become effective January 1, 2009, people who control their disabilities with medicine or equipment will be protected under the ADA.

No post on this website is legal advice, is meant to be legal advice, and certainly does not serve as a substitute for legal advice. The Attig Law Firm did not represent or play any role in the representation of the case represented herein. This award by the jury may not be achievable in your case – every disability discrimination case is different. A jury award or settlement in a particular case does not mean that you are entitled to or will recover a similar award in your case, even if the facts are very similar.

It is best to consult with a lawyer familiar with disability discrimination claims to discuss the facts and law of your particular case. The Attig Law Firm, PLLC, is a Dallasw based law firm that represents Federal employees around the country and disabled workers in North Texas in their disability discrimination claims against their private sector employers.

If you believe you were fired by your employer because of your disability, contact the Attig Law Firm, PLLC, to schedule a telephone consultation.