Jerry Moreno v. Texas Department of Transportation

# Jerry Moreno v. Texas Department of Transportation **What Happened** Jerry Moreno worked for the Texas Department of Transportation and claimed he was fired because of his age or national origin. He sued the agency for discrimination and wrongful termination, arguing that these protected characteristics played a role in losing his job. **What the Court Decided** The trial court ruled in TxDOT's favor before the case even went to a jury, and an appeals court agreed. The judges found that Moreno did not present enough evidence to prove he was actually discriminated against because of his age or national origin. Without sufficient proof linking his firing to these protected reasons, the court dismissed his claims. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case shows that to win a discrimination lawsuit, employees must present concrete evidence connecting their termination to their protected characteristics—such as statements from supervisors, suspicious timing, or comparative treatment of other workers. Simply believing you were treated unfairly isn't enough. Workers pursuing discrimination claims should carefully document evidence and gather witness statements early.