A former employee has taken legal action against a prominent educational institution, alleging retaliation after seeking medical leave. Tiajuana Cooper-Snyder filed a complaint against Chicago State University in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on September 30, 2024. The case centers around Cooper-Snyder's claims under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), asserting that her termination was a direct consequence of her request for medical leave.
Cooper-Snyder, who had been employed as an Administrative Assistant at Chicago State University since April 3, 2023, was diagnosed with severe end-stage osteoarthritis necessitating a total knee replacement. On February 8, 2024, she submitted an FMLA application requesting eight weeks of leave starting March 19, 2024, to undergo and recover from surgery. Despite following protocol and contacting her supervisor about the status of her application in late February, Cooper-Snyder’s request was denied on February 29, 2024. Subsequently, she was terminated from her position on March 7, 2024.
The plaintiff argues that this termination constitutes retaliation for exercising her rights under the FMLA. According to the complaint, Cooper-Snyder would have been eligible for FMLA leave beginning April 3, 2024. Her requested leave period largely fell within this eligibility window. Citing precedents such as Burnett v. LEW Inc., Cooper-Snyder contends that the university's actions violated her rights under federal law which protects employees attempting to exercise their right to request leave even if they are not eligible at the time of request.
In her lawsuit against Chicago State University, Cooper-Snyder seeks redress for damages incurred due to what she describes as retaliatory actions by her employer. She is asking the court to award lost wages, salary benefits, and other compensations lost due to the alleged violation of FMLA rights. Additionally, she seeks liquidated damages and reinstatement to her former position with full relief. Furthermore, Cooper-Snyder requests reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees as part of the relief sought.
Representing Tiajuana Cooper-Snyder is Cass T. Casper from Disparti Law Group P.A., based in Chicago. The case is presided over by unnamed judges in the Northern District of Illinois with Case ID: 1:24-cv-09173.