Photo Credit: christushealth.org
DEMING – A federal agency has filed a disability discrimination lawsuit against a northern New Mexico hospital, alleging the medical facility failed to accommodate an employee’s medical condition and later terminated her employment in violation of federal law.
The lawsuit was announced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which claims that Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center did not provide a reasonable workplace accommodation to a long-term employee who suffered a foot fracture and torn tendons in her ankle.
According to the complaint, the employee returned to work after medical leave and performed light-duty tasks for several months. She later requested reassignment to a vacant receptionist position that she could perform within her medical restrictions. The EEOC alleges the hospital declined to reassign her and instead terminated her employment, stating she would not be eligible for rehire until she was fully recovered or cleared for full duty.
Federal officials contend that such requirements may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees with disabilities unless doing so would create undue hardship for the organization.
The case, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, follows an unsuccessful attempt by the EEOC to resolve the matter through its administrative conciliation process. The lawsuit seeks remedies that may include back pay, compensatory damages, and changes to workplace policies if violations are proven.
Representatives for the hospital had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time the lawsuit announcement was released. The claims outlined in the lawsuit are allegations, and the matter will be decided through the federal court process.