In a striking legal development, a former employee has accused a major freight company of racial discrimination following an altercation at work. Raymond Bradley III filed a complaint on February 25, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., alleging that he was unjustly terminated due to his race and color.
The lawsuit centers around an incident that occurred on May 19, 2024, when Bradley, who is Black, was allegedly subjected to aggressive behavior by a Hispanic coworker. The coworker reportedly yelled at Bradley using derogatory language while Bradley was performing his duties as a dock worker. Despite maintaining composure and not retaliating with threats or aggression, Bradley claims he was terminated from his position without any prior disciplinary actions against him. Meanwhile, the coworker faced no repercussions for their behavior.
Bradley argues that this differential treatment is indicative of racial discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. These laws prohibit employment discrimination based on race and color. According to the complaint, "Defendant discriminated against Plaintiff on the basis of his race when it terminated his employment," suggesting that similar expectations were not equally applied to all employees regardless of race or color.
As part of his lawsuit, Bradley seeks several forms of relief from the court. He requests equitable or injunctive relief to address ongoing discriminatory practices within Old Dominion Freight Line. Additionally, he seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and emotional distress caused by his termination. Punitive damages are also sought to penalize the defendant for what Bradley describes as willful and reckless disregard for his rights under anti-discrimination laws.
The case highlights significant issues regarding workplace equality and fair treatment across different races and colors in employment settings. It raises questions about how companies handle internal conflicts involving employees from diverse backgrounds and whether current policies adequately protect workers from discriminatory practices.
Representing Raymond Bradley III is attorney Michael T. Smith from the Law Offices of Michael T. Smith & Associates, P.C., located in Lisle, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case No. 1:25-cv-01971 in front of Judge Amrith Kaur Aakre.