Plaintiff Latanya Brown has filed an employment discrimination complaint against BioLife Plasma LLC in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on May 28, 2024. The complaint alleges that BioLife engaged in race and disability discrimination, resulting in significant economic and emotional damages to Brown.
Latanya Brown, a Black licensed practical nurse employed by BioLife since August 2020, asserts that she faced race-based pay disparities and unwarranted scrutiny during her tenure as a national nurse trainer. According to the complaint, Brown was paid substantially less than her white peers performing the same job, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). Furthermore, Brown claims she was demoted after raising concerns about discriminatory practices. "When I complained of race discrimination," Brown states, "I was almost immediately demoted." Despite being reinstated, her responsibilities were significantly reduced, which she believes was retaliatory conduct under Title VII and Section 1981.
The complaint also includes allegations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and IHRA related to BioLife's treatment of Brown due to her physical and mental impairments. Brown suffers from lupus and severe depression, conditions that led to extended medical leave. She contends that upon disclosing these disabilities, her job duties were curtailed further. "BioLife’s discovery of my impairments led to a reduction in my responsibilities," Brown asserts.
Brown seeks various forms of relief from the court: economic damages for lost wages and back pay, compensatory damages for mental anguish and emotional distress, punitive damages, attorneys' fees, costs of litigation, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at the highest lawful rate, and other equitable relief deemed just by the court.
The case is represented by attorneys Carla D. Aikens from Carla D. Aikens P.L.C., Detroit, Michigan; Artur Davis from HKM Employment Attorneys LLP in Birmingham, Alabama; with Judge presiding over Case ID: 1:24-cv-04371.