PITTSBURGH — A former employee of Lighthouse Medical is suing the company, alleging she was unlawfully terminated for taking leave for her pregnancy.
Jade Diggs filed a lawsuit on Feb. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Lighthouse Medical, citing violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Pregnancy Discrimination Act.
According to the complaint, Diggs began employment with the defendant in May 2012. After several years with the company, she went on FMLA leave for her pregnancy starting on March 11, 2015; and before her return on May 8, 2015, she accepted a new position as a team lead of the call center.
The plaintiff claims that she received complaints for talking to other employees on the call center floor during the first week she returned to work. After reported rumors of jealousy and conspiracy, on May 27, 2015, Diggs was terminated for alleged downsizing reasons. She avers that her termination was a result of retaliation for taking FMLA leave and for having a baby.
Diggs seeks loss of income of back wages, loss of future income and benefits, punitive damages, legal fees, pre-judgment and continuing interest, and court costs. She is represented by Christi Wallace of Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 3:16-cv-00051-KRG