Auto Parts Company Agreed to pay $750,000 in Settlement for Tennessee EEOC Lawsuit over Drug Testing

According to this lawsuit, filed by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Dura Automotive Systems Inc for being in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the EEOC stated that the Dura Automotive Systems Inc. Company had all of their Lawrenceburg, Tennessee employees tested for twelve substances, five of which were controlled substances, and the others were legally prescribed medications, in May of 2007. The EEOC also claims that the Dura Company required all employees who tested positive for legally prescribed medications to disclose medical conditions that they had that required them to take the drugs and the company also made it a condition of employment that they stop taking the medication without evidence that the drugs were affecting their job performances. The Dura Company even suspended employees until they agreed to stop taking the medications and terminated employees who were unable to do their jobs without the medications. Dura also informed its whole workforce about the identities of those employees who had positive drug tests.

The Dura Company has agreed to pay$750,000 to settle the lawsuit. In addition to this, the company is prohibited from making medical inquires and from conducting medical exams which are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They are also prohibited from conducting drug tests that are not job related or necessary for the business.

Cases just like this one unfortunately happen to employees all across the country all too often and even to employees right here in Tennessee. If you or someone you know has been terminated or laid off and you feel that it is because of age, gender, racial, disability, or any other type of discrimination, then we encourage you to contact one of our experienced and compassionate Tennessee ADA attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to make sure you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours for what you have been through.