In a recent lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, plaintiff Nikolas Cooper alleges that he was wrongfully terminated from his position as a firefighter with the City of South Fulton. Cooper claims that his dismissal was due to discrimination based on race and disability. According to the complaint, Cooper, who is Caucasian, tested positive for THC—a compound found in cannabis—despite using it legally under a state-issued license to treat PTSD and other mental health conditions. The city allegedly enforced its “zero-tolerance” drug policy selectively, allowing African-American firefighters who also used medicinal THC to remain employed. Cooper asserts that this action violates several federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Cooper’s legal representation argues that the city failed to engage in an interactive process to accommodate his disabilities and instead discriminated against him by terminating his employment while retaining similarly situated African-American employees. The lawsuit seeks damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and legal fees.
Source: 125cv06375_Nikolas_Cooper_v_City_of_South_Fulton_Complaint_Nothern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
