HOUSTON – A Houston woman formerly employed as a senior tax accountant alleges she was terminated in retaliation for taking a medical leave.
Veronika Ivanova filed a complaint on April 12 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc. citing the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff began her employment with the defendant in 2014. The suit states she was diagnosed with depression and requested medical leave under the FMLA in December 2016, and she returned to work in February 2017.
She alleges she was terminated April 17, 2017, four weeks after she had filed reports of harassment and discrimination from a manager.
The plaintiff holds Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc. responsible because the defendant allegedly discriminated against her on the basis of her sex and national origin and terminated her in retaliation for requesting and taking federally protected leave under the FMLA.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks actual, exemplary and liquidated damages; reinstatement; pre- and post-judgment interest; attorneys’ fees; costs and such other general or special relief. She is represented by Daryl J. Sinkule and Todd Slobin of Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP in Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas case number 4:18-cv-01159