Delmar Jones, a security guard, has filed a lawsuit against his employer, Universal Protection Services, Inc., alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was filed on October 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Jones accuses Universal Protection Services of discrimination based on his disability, failure to provide reasonable accommodations, harassment due to his disability, and retaliation for engaging in protected activities under the ADA.
According to the complaint, Delmar Jones has been employed by Universal Protection Services since November 25, 2023. He suffers from kidney failure, which significantly limits major life activities such as eating and sleeping. Despite these challenges, Jones asserts that he is fully capable of performing his job duties with reasonable accommodations. However, he claims that his employer failed to accommodate his medical needs adequately. In early August 2024, Jones formally requested time off for medical treatments under the ADA but was subsequently kept off work without explanation for two weeks. This left him without income and clarity about his employment status.
Jones recounts an incident where his supervisor, Tanya (last name unknown), informed him that he should not be at work because he had supposedly been approved for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave—a claim later contradicted by Human Resources. This confusion was compounded when Tanya mentioned a potential transfer without providing further details or documentation. Earlier in May 2024, Jones faced similar issues when he was misrepresented as having resigned and was temporarily terminated before being rehired.
The lawsuit alleges that Universal Protection Services failed to engage in an interactive process to explore reasonable accommodations for Jones's disability. Instead of addressing his requests meaningfully or conducting an individualized assessment of his needs and job functions, the company allegedly placed him on unpaid leave without justification. This lack of engagement has caused significant financial harm and emotional distress for Jones.
Jones seeks various forms of relief from the court: back pay with interest; front pay; compensation for lost benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; reasonable attorney fees and costs; pre-judgment interest if applicable; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Representing Delmar Jones is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while no specific attorneys are listed for Universal Protection Services in this document. The case is presided over by Judge [Name not provided], under Case ID: 1:24-cv-11244.