Jasmine McDonald has filed a compelling lawsuit against Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc., alleging discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on January 8, 2025. This case highlights critical issues regarding workplace accommodations and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities.
The plaintiff, Jasmine McDonald, asserts that her former employer, Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc., engaged in discriminatory practices based on her disability—autism—and retaliated against her for seeking reasonable accommodations. McDonald began working as a Registered Nurse for Maxim Healthcare on September 13, 2022. Her condition, which substantially limits major life activities, became exacerbated during a work shift on July 21, 2024. After experiencing overstimulation while attending to a client’s needs, she sought medical attention and was hospitalized at Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital.
Upon notifying her employer about her hospitalization and requesting time off as an accommodation under the ADA, McDonald claims she was met with inadequate support. Despite following instructions to call in daily during her hospital stay until her discharge on July 29, 2024, she received no guidance or response from Maxim Healthcare regarding her return to work. Her repeated inquiries were met with vague assurances from Rosa Noble and Stephanie Eddington of Maxim Healthcare that never materialized into actionable support.
On November 13, 2024, McDonald was informed of her termination by Eddington without prior notice or discussion about potential accommodations or adjustments that could facilitate her continued employment. She contends this termination was not only unjust but also a direct violation of the ADA’s provisions against discrimination and retaliation.
McDonald's lawsuit seeks various forms of relief from the court. She is asking for back pay with interest to compensate for lost wages due to wrongful termination and front pay for future lost earnings. Additionally, she seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress and punitive damages to penalize Maxim Healthcare's alleged misconduct. The complaint also requests reimbursement for attorney fees and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Jasmine McDonald is attorney Chad W. Eisenback from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., located in Lombard, Illinois. The case has been assigned Case ID: 1:25-cv-00204 in the Northern District of Illinois court system.