PHILADELPHIA – A 53-year-old Muslim woman is suing a retirement home over a claim that she was fired because of her age and religion.
Vernell Dantzler filed a lawsuit April 25 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Acts Retirement Life Communities, Inc. alleging a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
As a practicing Muslim, Dantzler, 53, was hired in or about May 12, 1994 as a nurse’s assistant, according to the claim, realized that she was a small minority of employees who was devout, practicing Muslim and praying approximately five times per day.
Based on her religion and age, Dantzler believes she was singled out for disciplinary action, including termination. Specifically, during an argument with a fellow employee on June 4, 2014, which led to her termination. Prior to that, according to the claim, she had not been involved in any argument with a fellow employee.
Dantzler is seeking an offer of employment, with rate of pay, and other benefits and emoluments of employment lost, liquidated damages, compensatory damages for future pecuniary losses, as well as pain and suffering.
Dantzler, who is demanding a jury trial, is being represented by attorney Jeffrey C. Wong of Cevallos & Wong, L.L.P. of Newtown, Pa.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Court Case number 2:16-cv-01961-BMS