ROUND ROCK, Texas — A former Texas firefighter has sued over claims he was discriminated against because he developed post-traumatic stress disorder while on the job.
Danny Tucker, 41, says he developed the disorder after he responded to a call that involved a teenager trapped in a burning vehicle, according to the Statesman.
Although Tucker did not participate in the rescue, he watched as the teen was pulled screaming from the burning truck, suffering 17 broken bones and burns to more than 30 percent of his body.
Tucker alleges that Georgetown city officials did not try to find him a less stressful job even though doctors recommended it.
John Judge, Tucker’s attorney, said that under federal law, the city is required to make a reasonable attempt to find Tucker a new job.
Tucker was “treated differently than other firefighters who have suffered injuries to the visible anatomical structures of their bodies,” the lawsuit said.
It also said that Tucker tried to work in two positions for the city — for one he was told that the position was no longer available, for the other was let go weeks into the job citing it was illegal to hire him for a position outside of the fire department.
The incident that caused Tucker’s PTSD occurred in May 2011. Tucker had been a Georgetown firefighter since December 2000.
The city declined to comment on the lawsuit.