A former employee has accused a logistics company of discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). On August 29, 2024, James Rasberry filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against MB Global Logistics Inc., alleging that the company discriminated against him due to his disability and retaliated when he sought accommodations.
According to the complaint, Rasberry was hired by MB Global Logistics as a no-touch driver on July 23, 2024. His job responsibilities included driving to designated terminals to deliver loads without having to load or unload the trailer himself. Rasberry informed Luis, an employee at MB Global Logistics, that he used a wheelchair during long-distance travel but not while driving. Luis assured him that this would not be an issue. After passing a driving record check, Rasberry was offered employment and traveled from Texas to Illinois for training on July 25, 2024.
Rasberry completed his training and was instructed to report for work on July 29, 2024. Upon arrival at the company's office, he informed Leo Karanovic, the Recruiting Manager, that he could not access the third floor due to the lack of an elevator in the building. When Karanovic saw Rasberry in a wheelchair, he expressed surprise and questioned him about it. Despite Rasberry's assurances that his wheelchair use did not impede his ability to perform his job duties and showing proof that Luis was aware of his condition before hiring him, Karanovic terminated his employment.
The complaint alleges that MB Global Logistics failed to engage in an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations for Rasberry's disability and ultimately denied his request for accommodation. The purported justification for termination is claimed to be a pretext for unlawful discrimination based on disability or because the defendant perceived Rasberry as disabled.
Rasberry's lawsuit includes three counts: disability-based discrimination under the ADA, failure to accommodate under the ADA, and retaliation under the ADA. He asserts that he met or exceeded performance expectations and was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees outside of his protected class. He also claims that MB Global Logistics acted in willful and reckless disregard of his protected rights.
Rasberry seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, loss of benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just and proper by the court.
The case is being handled by attorney Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while Judge Amrith Kaur Aakre is overseeing it under Case ID: 1:24-cv-07830.