Cypress company sued over workers' comp dispute

A man is suing after, he says, he was fired for his age and for filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Terry Clinkenbeard filed a lawsuit on Dec. 1 in the Harris County District Court against Cor-Pro Systems Operating, located at 11704 Cypress N. in Houston, alleging age discrimination and violations of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act.

Clinkenbeard, a sales representative for the defendant, says that he was terminated illegally because he filed a workers’ compensation claim after he stepped onto a piece of tar paper on the floor which covered hidden railroad rails, causing him to fall. The fall injured his shoulder and rotator cuff, resulting in two surgeries. According to the suit, Clinkenbeard, a 49-year-old, was fired because of being injured on the job and his age.

Clinkenbeard is seeking exemplary damages, attorney’s fees and court costs.

He is being represented in the case by Lufkin attorney Rebecca Brightwell.

Harris County District Court Case No. 2010-78597.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Harris County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.