HOUSTON – A registered nurse residing Walker County alleges her health care employers discriminated against her because of her disability.
Mary McNutt filed a complaint on July 27 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Catholic Health Initiatives, Chi St. Luke's Health Network LLC, Chi St. Luke's Health Network LLC, St. Luke's Health System Corp., St. Luke's Independent Practice Association and St. Luke's Lakeside Hospital LLC alleging disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by the defendants from April 2003 to March 13, 2017, when she was terminated for alleged attendance issues. She alleges that she was diagnosed with cancer in June 2014 and July 2016 and was approved for intermittent Family and Medical Leave Act leave.
The plaintiff holds Catholic Health Initiatives, Chi St. Luke's Health Network LLC, Chi St. Luke's Health Network LLC, St. Luke's Health System Corp., St. Luke's Independent Practice Association and St. Luke's Lakeside Hospital LLC responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide reasonable accommodation, retaliated against her and terminated her employment for attempting to exercise her rights under the FMLA.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory, punitive and liquidated damages, plus interest, attorney's fees, costs and any further relief to which she is entitled. She is represented by Michael A. Starzyk and Amber L. Karns of Starzyk & Associates PC in The Woodlands.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:17-cv-02306