In a significant legal move, a complaint has been filed against a company accused of discriminatory practices under federal law. On November 26, 2024, Sabrina Dixon initiated legal proceedings in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against GPA Acquisition Company, LLC. The lawsuit accuses the company of multiple violations including discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
The case unfolds with Sabrina Dixon alleging that her former employer, GPA Acquisition Company, LLC, engaged in unlawful employment practices by discriminating against her due to her disability. According to the complaint, Dixon was employed as a Samples Coordinator from November 2021 until her termination on August 20, 2024. During her tenure, she suffered from plantar fasciitis—a condition that significantly limits major life activities such as walking. Despite being qualified for her role and having performed satisfactorily, Dixon claims she faced discrimination when GPA failed to accommodate her disability needs.
Dixon further alleges that GPA retaliated against her for utilizing FMLA leave to manage her medical condition. She had been using intermittent FMLA leave for over a year due to ongoing physical therapy requirements. The situation escalated when Dixon resubmitted her FMLA paperwork on July 25, 2024. A month later, on August 20th, she was terminated after an altercation with HR Representative Viktorija Raizys regarding her physical therapy sessions covered under FMLA leave. Raizys allegedly accused Dixon of "stealing company time," leading to what Dixon describes as an unjust termination directly linked to her use of FMLA rights.
The complaint outlines several counts against GPA Acquisition Company under both ADA and FMLA statutes. These include allegations of disability-based discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, harassment based on disability, retaliation for engaging in protected activity under ADA, interference with FMLA rights, and retaliation under FMLA provisions.
Dixon seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay with interest, front pay, compensatory and punitive damages, loss of benefits compensation, reasonable attorney's fees and costs among other potential remedies deemed just by the court.
Representing Sabrina Dixon is attorney Travis P. Lampert from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., while no defense counsel is listed in the initial filing documents. The case is identified as Case No: 1:24-cv-12193 in front of the Northern District Court of Illinois' Eastern Division.