Donald Richardson, Jr., a 60-year-old former road laborer for the Wayne County Road Department, has filed a comprehensive civil lawsuit in the Wayne County Circuit Court against the Wayne County Fiscal Court. The suit alleges that Richardson was subjected to systemic age discrimination, severe sexual harassment, unsafe working conditions, and unlawful retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim during his employment. According to the complaint, Richardson’s direct supervisor, routinely singled him out over a two-year period for harder, dirtier, and more hazardous tasks—such as operating a dangerously defective truck and performing solo labor in extreme heat without air conditioning—while substantially younger coworkers were given easier assignments.
To remedy these alleged violations of state and federal civil rights acts, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Title VII, and Kentucky workers’ compensation statutes, Richardson is asking the court for a permanent injunction against further discrimination and harassment, reinstatement to his former position (or front pay in lieu thereof), back pay, lost benefits, prejudgment interest, and compensatory damages for severe emotional distress, humiliation, and embarrassment. He is also seeking liquidated damages for willful violations, recovery of reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, and a trial by jury.
Under Kentucky Civil Rule 12.01, the defendant generally has 20 calendar days after being served to file a written answer. In this response, they will admit or deny the allegations and outline any legal defenses. (Alternatively, they could file early pre-answer motions, such as a motion to dismiss).