The former Centennial High School baseball coach, now 69 years old, has filed a lawsuit against the Compton Unified School District for wrongful termination in 2022. He claims that his age and repeated requests for a key to the baseball field restroom, in order to accommodate his use of a colostomy bag following his battle with colon cancer, were factors in his firing.
In his lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Gerald Pickens alleges discrimination, hostile work environment, harassment, failure to accommodate, and failure to engage in the interactive process. He is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The school district has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
Pickens was hired as the baseball coach for Centennial High School in February 1993 and was a highly respected figure at the school for many decades. He achieved numerous accolades and honors and had planned to continue in his position for years to come.
In 2014, Pickens fell ill and was diagnosed with colon cancer, but he continued to work as the baseball coach even while undergoing surgery and chemotherapy treatments. Although the plaintiff was devastated, he remained dedicated to his role.
While his treatment was initially successful and his cancer went into remission, it returned in 2017, affecting four organs. Pickens underwent life-saving surgery and had to rely on colostomy and urostomy bags. At times, he required assistance from assistant coaches.
Pickens also requested access to a restroom near the baseball field, which was usually locked during after-school practices. His aim was to be able to empty his colostomy bag conveniently.
However, the suit states that the school administration consistently denied his request for the restroom key over the years, causing him to walk approximately 300 yards to the nearest facilities. This created anxiety and stress as Pickens struggled to reach the restroom in time.
The suit further alleges that on numerous occasions, Pickens soiled his clothes as a result of not being able to access a restroom promptly. In February 2022, a vice principal became angry when Pickens left his players unattended to change his attire. On another occasion, Pickens had to coach a game while wearing unclean clothing.
Pickens personally delivered a complaint letter to the Compton Unified School District, addressing the alleged refusal to accommodate his restroom key request, as well as his alternative suggestion of a mobile restroom. However, no action was taken.
In April 2022, Pickens was diagnosed with depression and had suicidal thoughts. The following month, he suffered a stroke and was subsequently fired. According to the lawsuit, the district hired a new baseball coach in his early 20s to replace him.
Since losing his job, Pickens has experienced financial losses in terms of wages and benefits, as well as emotional distress.
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