A long-serving employee has taken legal action against a major retail corporation, alleging discriminatory practices and wrongful termination. James Adams filed a complaint on November 13, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against Walmart Stores, Inc. The lawsuit accuses the company of violating several employment laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The case centers around Adams’ claims that Walmart engaged in age and disability discrimination following a corporate restructuring initiative. Employed by Walmart since August 17, 1998, Adams worked his way up to Assistant Store Manager at a Flint, Michigan location. However, he alleges that in 2021, Walmart’s restructuring disproportionately affected older employees by eliminating certain positions under the guise of modernization. Specifically, Adams contends that he was unfairly demoted before being allowed to apply for a new position created during this restructuring—a step not required of younger colleagues.
Adams further asserts that he faced unwarranted disciplinary actions as part of a campaign to justify his eventual termination. These actions included receiving severe infractions for minor incidents and having his eligibility for bonuses threatened through manipulated disciplinary records. In December 2022, an interim store manager terminated him based on unfounded allegations; however, this decision was later overturned by another company official.
In early 2023, Adams experienced health issues requiring hip surgery and sought FMLA leave. He claims that shortly after notifying management of his approved medical leave, he was terminated under false pretenses related to an alleged safety violation—a move he argues was retaliatory given its timing and context.
The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court: an injunction preventing Walmart from continuing discriminatory practices; declaratory judgments recognizing violations of federal and state laws; compensation for lost wages and benefits; as well as punitive damages for emotional distress caused by these alleged unlawful acts.
Representing James Adams are attorneys Andre M. Sokolowski and Dora Hermiz Sokolowski from The Lex Firm P.C., based in Clarkston, Michigan. The case is identified as Case No. 2:25-cv-13626-LVP-EAS with proceedings overseen by Judge Linda V. Parker.
Source: 225cv13626_James_Adams_v_Walmart_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Michigan.pdf
