A former employee is taking legal action against a prominent healthcare group, alleging discrimination and retaliation due to his disability. Ariel Zamir filed a complaint on March 14, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Graham Healthcare Group and its subsidiaries, Residential Home Health Illinois, LLC and Residential Home Health and Hospice Illinois.
The case centers around allegations that the defendants violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act by discriminating against Zamir because of his disability. According to the complaint, Zamir was employed as an Occupational Therapist since September 2015 but was unlawfully terminated on June 27, 2023. The plaintiff claims that despite consistently receiving positive performance reviews and being praised for his dedication to patient care, he faced discrimination after developing a shoulder injury in 2022. This injury led to a torn rotator cuff which substantially limited his daily activities.
Zamir underwent surgery on March 31, 2023, and had informed his supervisors about his medical leave. He requested accommodations such as remote work or light duty during recovery—a request initially met with assurance from Clinical Director Jessica Kossak that accommodations would be made. However, upon reaching out post-surgery in May and June 2023 for updates on these accommodations, Zamir was met with silence or outright denial from management. Despite providing medical documentation stating he would return to full duty within a month by June 23, 2023, he was terminated days later.
The complaint accuses the defendants of failing to engage in an interactive process required under ADA guidelines to accommodate disabled employees. Furthermore, when Zamir was cleared for work without restrictions in July 2023 and sought reemployment, he was advised to apply online knowing no positions were available—an act he argues demonstrates further retaliation.
Zamir seeks judgment declaring that the defendants' actions violated both federal and state laws protecting individuals with disabilities. He requests compensation for lost wages and benefits due to unlawful termination along with punitive damages for emotional distress suffered as a result of discriminatory practices. Additionally, he seeks reinstatement or future compensation if reinstatement is not feasible.
Representing Ariel Zamir are attorneys Erika Pedersen and Jill Weinstein from Pedersen & Weinstein LLP based in Chicago. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge under Case ID: 1:25-cv-02683.