The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently upheld a lower court's ruling in the case of Roberto Carlos Negrón Miro against the Municipality of Adjuntas and its mayor, José Hiram Soto Rivera. The court's decision, issued on June 29, 2026, confirmed that Negrón's claims of wrongful termination and discrimination were not sufficient to proceed to trial. This ruling affects Negrón, who claimed to have been wrongfully dismissed from his job, and sets a precedent regarding employment discrimination cases in Puerto Rico.
Negrón, who worked as a security guard for the Municipality of Adjuntas, filed a complaint in July 2022 alleging wrongful termination based on political discrimination and retaliation. He claimed that after a change in municipal administration, he was terminated without just cause on January 31, 2022. Negrón argued that his dismissal was linked to his political affiliation with the New Progressive Party and was also a result of his health condition after contracting COVID-19.
The case began when Negrón filed a complaint under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and local laws, claiming discrimination due to his political beliefs and health status. He sought damages of at least $500,000, reinstatement, and compensation for lost wages and benefits. The Municipality of Adjuntas, represented by Soto, denied these allegations, asserting that Negrón was a temporary employee with no expectation of continued employment.
In response to Negrón's claims, the Municipality filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the allegations were legally insufficient. They contended that Negrón was a temporary employee and that his termination was due to the expiration of his contract, not discrimination. The lower court agreed, granting the Municipality's motion and dismissing Negrón's claims.
The Court of Appeals, led by Judge Hernández Sánchez, reviewed the case and upheld the lower court's decision. The court ruled, "We confirm the appealed ruling," indicating that Negrón's claims did not meet the legal standards required to proceed. The judges on the panel included Hernández Sánchez, Rivera Torres, and Marrero Guerrero.
This ruling has significant implications for employees in Puerto Rico, particularly those in temporary positions. It clarifies that temporary employees may have limited rights regarding wrongful termination claims and reinforces the legal framework surrounding employment discrimination. The court's decision emphasizes that claims must be substantiated with adequate evidence to proceed in court.
Moving forward, this ruling may discourage similar claims from temporary employees who feel they have been wrongfully terminated. It highlights the importance of understanding employment status and the associated rights under Puerto Rican law. Employees in temporary positions may need to be more cautious about their claims and ensure they have substantial evidence to support their allegations.
Negrón has the option to appeal the decision to a higher court, although details regarding the next steps were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may influence future employment discrimination cases in Puerto Rico, particularly those involving temporary employees.