Texas veteran speaks out after SCOTUS approval to sue state

DALLAS — Le Roy Torres spent his profession serving as a Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper, and as an Army Captain.

“It’s definitely something that I had always dreamed of doing,” mentioned Torres.

In 2007 to 2008, he was deployed to Iraq, the place he mentioned he was uncovered each day to poisonous fumes from the biggest burn pit within the nation. Years later, it left Torres with extreme lung harm. He was recognized with a mind damage known as “toxic encephalopathy” that impacts his short-term reminiscence and cognitive talents.

“I never thought that this was going to be an issue that I was going to have to deal with returning back from war,” mentioned Torres. 

Today, he depends on supplemental oxygen to take a full breath.

“The effects of toxic exposure is real, and it’s a monster because you don’t know what to expect,” he mentioned. “One day, you can be fine. And then the next day, everything goes south.”

When Torres returned house from Iraq, he mentioned Texas DPS would not accommodate his accidents at work. He mentioned he was pressured out of his job after 14 years. 

Torres determined to file a lawsuit in Texas State Court in 2017, arguing wrongful termination. His case was declined.

“The military, the soldiers creed — there is a line that claims, ‘I’ll by no means stop. I’ll by no means settle for defeat,'” he acknowledged. 

Instead of letting or not it’s, Torres and his attorneys took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The query was raised whether or not a non-public particular person can sue their state employer in state courtroom for violating a federal regulation.

After months of ready, by a 5-4 vote by the justices, the reply got here on Wednesday in Torres’ favor. He can now argue his case in Texas, which means the state will be sued beneath federal regulation.

MORE: Justices say vet who misplaced job as Texas trooper can sue state

“This is much bigger than me. It’s going to help countless others,” Torres mentioned with aid. He hopes it should change the destiny for tens of 1000’s of veterans who’re dealing with accidents.

He describes the Supreme Court resolution as a way of closure, although his battle is way from over. Torres will quickly take his case again to state courtroom, the place he’ll argue for wrongful termination. 

As for his well being, Torres simply acquired stem cell remedy in April in Columbia. He’s hoping his physique responds properly to the remedy.