In a significant legal development, a former employee has taken action against his previous employer, alleging severe violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Isaac Castillo filed a complaint on November 26, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Micron Industries Corporation. The lawsuit claims that the company discriminated against Castillo due to his disability, failed to provide reasonable accommodations, harassed him based on his disability, and retaliated against him for asserting his rights under the ADA.
The complaint narrates Castillo's ordeal during his tenure at Micron Industries Corporation. Castillo was employed as a production operator starting February 2024. His responsibilities included managing machines and materials but were abruptly interrupted by an injury sustained in April 2024 when an assembly belt malfunctioned. This incident required him to perform intensive manual labor without proper safety equipment, leading to further damage to pre-existing screws in his foot. Despite filing for workers' compensation and securing a settlement by August 2024, Castillo faced obstacles upon attempting to return to work. Although he presented medical clearance specifying a need for a "sit-down" job due to his condition, Micron Industries refused this accommodation despite having suitable positions available.
Castillo alleges that after being placed on unpaid leave and consistently updating HR with medical notes indicating reduced restrictions, he was ultimately terminated on October 8, 2024. The termination coincided suspiciously with claims of a company buyout—a justification Castillo believes is pretextual given that other employees remained unaffected and no evidence of such buyout was provided. He argues that this termination was discriminatory and retaliatory since it occurred while he was out on leave due to an injury sustained at work.
The lawsuit outlines multiple counts against Micron Industries Corporation: disability-based discrimination and harassment under the ADA, as well as retaliation for requesting accommodations and filing complaints about harassment. Castillo asserts that these actions resulted in significant personal and professional losses including employment benefits, income, mental anguish, distress, humiliation, and diminished quality of life.
Through this legal action, Castillo seeks various forms of relief from the court: back pay with interest; front pay; compensation for lost benefits; compensatory and punitive damages; attorneys’ fees; costs; pre-judgment interest if applicable; and any additional relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Isaac Castillo is attorney Alexander J. Taylor from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case ID: 3:24-cv-50479 but does not yet list specific judges overseeing proceedings.