BAE Systems violated federal disability laws by firing a morbidly obese employee at its plant in Sealy, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged in a lawsuit Tuesday.

The agency alleges that the Virginia-based military vehicle manufacturing firm fired Ronald Kratz II, a materials handler who had been working at the plant since 1994.

On Oct. 28, 2009, he was told that "the company had reached the conclusion that he could no longer perform his job duties because of his weight and he was therefore terminated," according to the lawsuit in Houston federal court.

BAE said in a written statement that it is reviewing the allegations and "will respond at the appropriate time and manner."

Kratz, who weighs more than 600 pounds, asked if he could transfer to another position but he was told he could not, according to the lawsuit. Nor did BAE officials discuss whether he needed what's known as a "reasonable accommodation" under the Americans with Disabilities Act so he could better perform his essential job duties.

The lawsuit alleges that Kratz was able to perform the essential functions of his inventory management job.

BAE contended Kratz had difficulty walking from the parking lot to the plant, from which it concluded he had trouble walking around the facility, said Kathy Boutchee, the EEOC lawyer in charge of the case.

The company also told EEOC investigators that Kratz, now 42, had difficulty bending, stooping and kneeling.

But like his coworkers, Kratz sorted parts on a raised platform, so he didn't have to stoop, Boutchee said.

Kratz's job also required him to drive a forklift, said Boutchee. His supervisor instructed him to use the seatbelt but it didn't fit. He asked for a belt extender, she said, but never got one and was told to keep driving the forklift anyway.

The suit says Kratz received "very good" ratings in his 2008 and 2009 performance evaluations.

BAE replaced Kratz with an employee who was not obese, according to the EEOC.

lm.sixel@chron.com