Jazmin Jones has filed a comprehensive complaint against Oak Street Health MSO, LLC, alleging multiple violations of federal employment laws. The complaint was filed on May 29, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Jones, represented by attorney Alexander Taylor from Sulaiman Law Group, Ltd., claims that Oak Street Health discriminated against her based on her disability and pregnancy. The lawsuit cites violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). According to the filing, Jones began working as a Welcome Coordinator for Oak Street Health in February 2022. Her duties included welcoming patients, conducting check-ins, collecting co-pays, updating patient information, scheduling appointments, managing phone lines and faxes, maintaining cleanliness in designated areas, and occasionally floating to other centers.
Jones alleges that she suffers from physical disabilities such as migraines and lower extremity edema which were exacerbated by her high-risk pregnancy. She claims these conditions substantially limited her major life activities. Despite informing her employer about these issues and requesting reasonable accommodations such as moving every ten minutes to alleviate her symptoms, Jones alleges that Oak Street Health failed to accommodate her needs. Instead, she faced harassment and criticism from management.
The complaint details a series of events starting around May 25, 2023. On this date, Jones experienced severe migraines which led to an MRI procedure revealing her pregnancy. Following medical advice due to high-risk conditions associated with her pregnancy, she initiated short-term disability leave. Upon returning to work in July 2023 after a month's leave recommended by her physician, Jones claims she faced harsh criticism for taking necessary breaks to manage her lower extremity edema.
Despite providing medical documentation supporting her need for accommodations and detailing protections under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), Jones asserts that management continued disputing her requests. Tragically on July 19th while at work she suffered a miscarriage due to worsening physical conditions related to high-risk pregnancy complications.
Jones further alleges retaliation from Oak Street Health following this incident including receiving write-ups for 'misuse' of FMLA leave despite having approval until October 2023. She also claims wrongful termination on December 28th due solely because of engaging in protected activities such as requesting accommodations or utilizing FMLA leave.
In addition to ADA violations related specifically towards disability-based discrimination/failure-to-accommodate/harassment/retaliation counts; FMLA interference/retaliation counts are also cited within this lawsuit alongside sex-based discrimination/harassment/retaliation counts under Title VII; finally adding failure-to-accommodate & retaliation counts under PWFA into mix too!
Jones seeks various forms relief including back pay with interest; front pay; loss benefits compensatory punitive damages reasonable attorneys’ fees costs pre-judgment interest if applicable any all other such relief deemed just proper court!
This case is presided over by Judge [Judge's Name] with Case ID: 1:24-cv-04397