A recent court filing reveals a significant lawsuit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. The complaint was filed by Tara Hodo in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on August 29, 2024, against Metro Infectious Disease Consultants, PLLC.
According to the lawsuit, Tara Hodo was employed as an RN antibiotic coordinator at Metro Infectious Disease Consultants from August 22, 2023, until her termination on July 23, 2024. Hodo suffers from hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition that substantially limits major life activities. Despite her qualifications and performance meeting or exceeding expectations, Hodo alleges that she faced discriminatory treatment due to her disability. On June 2, 2024, she began short-term disability leave because she did not qualify for FMLA. She communicated with HR about extending her leave and submitted necessary paperwork indicating that her doctor had extended her leave until August 9, 2024. However, she also mentioned being able to return as early as July 22 if needed.
Despite these communications and her willingness to return earlier if required, Hodo was terminated on July 23, 2024. She claims this termination was in direct retaliation for her medical diagnosis and need for time off. The lawsuit asserts that Metro Infectious Disease Consultants failed to accommodate her disability reasonably and did not engage in an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations.
The complaint outlines several counts of violations under the ADA: disability-based discrimination, failure to accommodate, disability-based harassment, and retaliation. It states that Hodo was treated less favorably than similarly situated employees outside of her protected class and that the company acted in willful and reckless disregard of her protected rights.
Hodo is seeking various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, loss of benefits compensation, compensatory and punitive damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, pre-judgment interest if applicable, and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Tara Hodo is Alexander J. Taylor from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd.
Case ID: 1:24-cv-07881.