BATON ROUGE — Two employees of East Baton Rouge Parish Emergency Medical Services have filed separate federal lawsuits in recent months alleging workplace discrimination, one alleging denial of an accommodation during a complicated pregnancy and the other claiming retaliation tied to union activity. Both cases remain pending in federal court.
Two separate suits, different claims
The suits name East Baton Rouge Parish and its EMS operation as defendants. In filings, the city-parish has denied discriminatory conduct and described its choices as reasonable under the circumstances. The two plaintiffs, who remain employed by EMS, declined requests for interviews; parish officials including Parish Attorney John McLindon and EMS Administrator Chris Landry also declined to comment. Mayor-President Sid Edwards said he had no comment and the city-parish generally does not issue statements about pending litigation.
The lawsuits center on distinct allegations:
- Meghan McCutcheon — says EMS refused to place her on light duty after her doctor restricted her lifting because of a pregnancy complication.
- Jeremy Landry — alleges he was passed over for promotion three times because of his role as an officer in the EMS employees’ union formed in 2023.
Pregnancy accommodation dispute
McCutcheon, an EMS employee since 2014, says she requested reassignment to restricted duty after developing a serious pregnancy issue in late 2024. According to her court filing, she experienced pelvic pain in November 2024 and was placed on sick leave Jan. 13, 2025. The following day she was diagnosed with cervical prolapse, which her lawsuit describes as a “rare and serious” condition that can lead to infection, early labor or miscarriage.
The complaint says her doctor limited how much weight she could lift and recommended a light‑duty assignment until delivery. McCutcheon asked her supervisor for such an accommodation but, the suit says, was told light duty was generally not permitted. As a result, she used more than 120 hours of paid leave and more than 107 hours of unpaid leave for the remainder of the pregnancy, the filing states.
Union‑related promotion claim
In the second lawsuit, Jeremy Landry contends he was denied promotion on three occasions because of his service as an officer of the union that EMS employees joined in 2023. The court filing alleges the refusals were discriminatory and tied to his union role. Like McCutcheon, Landry remains employed by EMS and did not agree to an interview.
| Plaintiff | Allegation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Meghan McCutcheon | Denied light‑duty assignment after pregnancy complication | Pending in federal court |
| Jeremy Landry | Passed over for promotion due to union activity | Pending in federal court |
“The city-parish denied discriminating in either case and said its decisions were reasonable given the circumstances,” court filings state.
Local implications and next steps
The suits raise questions about how East Baton Rouge Parish EMS balances staffing needs, workplace accommodations and collective‑bargaining rights. If McCutcheon’s claims are upheld, the case could prompt review of how the agency handles medical restrictions, light‑duty policies and leave for pregnant employees. The Landry suit similarly calls attention to how promotion decisions are made and whether protected union activity is being respected.
Because both matters are before a federal court, further details and any potential remedies will depend on motions, discovery and possible trial outcomes. For now, the city-parish has formally denied discriminatory conduct in filings and is treating the matters as ongoing litigation.
WE NEWS will follow court filings and any calendar entries that provide dates for hearings, discovery or rulings. Residents with questions about EMS workplace policies or with similar concerns about accommodations or union activity may consult employment counsel or human resources guidance while these cases proceed.
