Pomona, California Employment Lawsuit Alleges Disability Discrimination and Medical Leave Retaliation

Huprich Law Firm represents an employee suing Western University of Health Sciences over alleged disability discrimination & denial of medical leave in Pomona.

POMONA, CA, UNITED STATES, October 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Huprich Law Firm, PC, representing an employee in a lawsuit against Western University of Health Sciences, has filed a complaint alleging disability discrimination, failure to accommodate a disability, failure to engage in the interactive process, and retaliation related to requests for protected medical leave at the university’s Pomona, California location.

The lawsuit, filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, alleges that the university terminated the employee’s employment after she sought an extension of medical leave for a qualifying health condition and repeatedly attempted to provide documentation requested by Human Resources. The Complaint asserts eight causes of action under California employment law and public policy.

Case Number: 26STCV21818. The lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The related California Civil Rights Department matter number is 202607-36004603.

Lawsuit Alleges Disability Discrimination and Failure to Accommodate in Pomona

According to the Complaint, the employee began working for Western University of Health Sciences in March 2023 as an Administrative Assistant II in the Department of Physician Assistant Education. Her responsibilities included general office and student-facing administrative support.

The Complaint alleges that after the death of her father in May 2025, the employee experienced severe depression, anxiety, and grief and sought medical treatment. It states that she took an approved medical leave beginning in August 2025 and returned to work on November 12, 2025.

According to the allegations, the employee informed Human Resources on November 17, 2025, that she might need additional leave as a reasonable accommodation while awaiting further medical evaluation. The Complaint states that her medical provider subsequently submitted documentation excusing her from work through approximately December 31, 2025.

The lawsuit alleges that the employee’s provider transmitted a completed supplemental medical questionnaire to the university on November 25, 2025, confirming the need for extended leave. It further alleges that Human Resources repeatedly stated that the documentation had not been received or that the information provided was insufficient.

Complaint Raises Questions About the Interactive Process

The Complaint alleges that the employee repeatedly resent medical documentation and contacted Human Resources to confirm receipt and determine what additional information was required. It states that the employee was given a deadline of December 5, 2025, to provide completed documentation, but that the university did not clearly identify the specific information allegedly missing or provide written instructions explaining how to address the deficiency.

The lawsuit further alleges that the employee’s employment was terminated on December 9, 2025, with the university citing job abandonment. The Complaint contends that the termination followed the employee’s requests for disability-related accommodation and additional medical leave.

These allegations raise issues concerning California employers’ obligations to consider reasonable accommodations, communicate in good faith with employees seeking accommodations, and evaluate requests for medical leave in accordance with applicable law. The claims remain allegations in a civil lawsuit and have not been established as findings of fact by a court.

Eight Causes of Action Under California Employment Law

The Complaint asserts eight causes of action against Western University of Health Sciences and other defendants identified as Does 1 through 10:

Disability discrimination in violation of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

Failure to accommodate a disability.

Failure to engage in the interactive process.

Retaliation in violation of FEHA.

Interference in violation of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA).

Retaliation for requesting CFRA leave.

Failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation.

Adverse actions in violation of public policy.

The claims concern alleged workplace discrimination, reasonable accommodation, medical leave rights, and the consequences of requesting protected leave. The Complaint alleges that the employee’s disability-related circumstances and protected requests for leave were substantial motivating factors in the adverse employment actions.

Potential Implications for Employers in Pomona and Los Angeles County

The lawsuit highlights employment law issues relevant to employers throughout Pomona and the greater Los Angeles County area, including universities, colleges, healthcare education institutions, and other organizations with Human Resources departments responsible for managing disability accommodations and medical leave.

Employers may benefit from reviewing how they receive and track medical documentation, communicate requests for additional information, assess leave extensions, and document interactive-process discussions. Clear instructions, reasonable opportunities to address documentation questions, and careful consideration of accommodation requests can be important components of a compliant employment process.

The allegations also underscore the importance of evaluating the circumstances surrounding termination decisions when an employee has recently requested disability accommodation or protected medical leave. Employers should ensure that decisions are based on legitimate, appropriately documented reasons and that applicable legal obligations are considered.

Huprich Law Firm Represents Employees in California Employment Matters

Attorney Joseph Huprich of Huprich Law Firm, PC, is listed as counsel for the plaintiff in the Complaint. The firm is based in Ontario, California, and represents employees in employment-related legal matters.

The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief available under applicable law, including economic and non-economic damages, potential punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other requested remedies. The Complaint also demands a jury trial.

The action is pending in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The court’s assigned case number was not populated in the copy of the Complaint provided for this press release.

This press release summarizes allegations contained in a filed Complaint. The defendant has not been adjudged liable based on the allegations described here, and the claims remain subject to the legal process.

Joseph Huprich
Huprich Law Firm, P.C.
+1 909-766-2226
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