Eric Johnson, a former mechanic, has filed a lawsuit against his previous employer, Burr Ridge Truck Repair, Inc., alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was filed on February 21, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Johnson accuses Burr Ridge Truck Repair of discrimination based on his disability, failure to accommodate his medical condition, harassment related to his disability, and retaliation following his request for accommodations.
According to the complaint, Eric Johnson began working as a mechanic for Burr Ridge Truck Repair in 2018. His responsibilities included diagnosing vehicle problems and ensuring their proper repair. In October 2024, Johnson experienced severe dizziness and was diagnosed with a brain tumor after being taken to the emergency room by his shop manager. Despite informing his employer about his condition and potential need for surgery, Johnson claims that his work performance was unjustly scrutinized shortly after disclosing his health issues.
Johnson alleges that he was terminated from his position on November 20, 2024, under false pretenses of poor performance and customer dissatisfaction. He argues that these reasons were pretextual and that other employees who made similar or more significant mistakes were not terminated. Additionally, he claims that he received an email containing a resignation letter he never signed.
The lawsuit outlines multiple violations of the ADA by Burr Ridge Truck Repair. It asserts that the company discriminated against Johnson due to his disability by failing to provide reasonable accommodations and engaging in harassment. Furthermore, it accuses the company of retaliating against him after he requested time off to manage his medical condition.
Johnson seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, loss of benefits compensation, attorneys' fees and costs. He also requests any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Eric Johnson is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while no specific defense counsel is mentioned in the document. The case is identified as Case No.: 1:25-cv-01802 and will be heard in front of a jury as demanded by the plaintiff.