Cypress man says employer discriminated because he has cancer

A Cypress resident has filed a lawsuit against a pipe valve manufacturer in the District Court of Harris County, claiming discrimination for having cancer.

Muri Murphy filed a disclosure petition against Spears Manufacturing Company, Inc., which does business throughout Texas, on Sept. 21.

 

Murphy, who was hired as a technical service representative by the company in July of 2007 at the age of 61, alleges that he was improperly let go from his job.

 

Murphy developed stomach cancer in November of 2008 and received a doctor’s note that said he would need to miss four months of work for his chemotherapy and radiation treatment. 

 

He alleges that he spoke with his regional supervisor, who told him they would work with him and not punish him for missing work or turning reports in late.

 

During those four months, he continued to work in between treatments whenever he was able. However, many times he could not file the reports necessary by the end of the week, since his treatment was normally at that time, and the system would not let workers file on weekends.

 

On March 20, 2009, Murphy was fired for what the company documented as “failing to meet basic administrative duty requirements relative to providing weekly itineraries and timely entry of activity reports.”

 

Murphy’s suit asks for $300,000 in compensatory damages, including back pay, lost wages, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life. He also is asking for future lost wages in the amount not to exceed $100,000, and costs associated with the litigation.