PHILADELPHIA – A receptionist is suing her former employer over a claim that she was fired due to taking an extended leave of absence due to post-traumatic stress disorder, an action she alleges was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, specifically amounting to discrimination, failure to accommodate and retaliation.
Melissa Cornell filed a lawsuit April 28 in the U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against ENT & Facial Plastic Surgical Associates L.L.P. alleging a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
During her employment as a receptionist with ENT, Cornell was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the claim, and was prescribed by a physician to take a four-week medical leave of absence in or about late September 2014.
On or about Oct. 21, 2014, she called ENT’s management to confirm that she was returning to work on or about Oct. 28, 2014, according to the claim, explaining that her leave of absence had been for PTSD.
According to the lawsuit, when Cornell told management she been on leave of absence for PTSD, management told her that they ``didn’t care” what her health conditions were and they were essentially terminating her employment.
She is seeking back pay, front pay, salary, pay increases, promotions, reinstatement and seniority.
Cornell, who is demanding a jury trial, is being represented by attorney Ari R. Karpf, Esq. of Karpf, Karpf & Cerurtti P.C. of Bensalem.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court Case number 2:16-cv-02022-JP