HOUSTON — A Texas petro-chemical contractor whom the federal government alleges fired three brothers because of their hemophilia blood disorder, has settled a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity.
Signature Industrial Services LLC has settled the EEOC lawsuit, alleging the company, which took over an Exxon/Mobil refinery in Beaumont, Texas, fired three brothers with excellent work records after management learned of insurance cost increases due to the brothers medical treatments for the blood disorder.
According to the EEOC, the brothers' medical condition did not affect their work performance but would require expensive medicine for treatment if they received any on-the-job injuries that caused bleeding. The company said the brothers were "laid off." However, no other workers were laid off during that time period, the EEOC said.
"We are pleased to have reached what we believe to be a fair resolution, and are confident Signature is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to workers, regardless of their disabilities or genetic conditions," EEOC Houston District Office regional attorney Rudy Sustaita said in a statement.
The two-year consent decree settling the lawsuit requires Signature to pay $135,000 in monetary relief as well as other relief, according to the federal government.