EDWARDSVILLE – Cedarhurst of Bethalto is being sued by a former employee for allegedly discriminating against her due to a medical disability.
Plaintiff Amanda L. Bennett filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendant Cedarhurst of Bethalto, citing discrimination in violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act.
According to the lawsuit, Bennet was hired by the defendants on Dec. 2, 2019 as a resident assistant to work at the Cedarhurst of Bethalto assisted living and memory care facility. Bennet alleges that prior to her employment, she had suffered three brain aneurysms, which resulted in periods of disability. Bennet's employer was allegedly aware of her history of disability when she was hired. The plaintiff claims she carried out her duties faithfully and was promoted to the position of resident care manager.
Bennet claims that on Dec. 4, 2020, she suffered an aneurysm, which required her to be hospitalized and remain off work for several weeks. She alleges that on Jan. 26, 2021, and on Feb. 1, 2021, she notified her employer that she had recovered enough to return to work and that she had provided documentation from her health care providers attesting to her ability to return to work without restriction.
The plaintiff claims that after she returned to work in March 2021, her employer had demoted her back to resident assistant and changed her from a full-time employee to working only "as needed." She also alleges the defendant required that she undergo medical examinations and tests at her own expense in order to return to work, denied her reasonable accommodation for her history of disability and ultimately terminated her from her job.
Bennet is demanding a trial by jury to seek damages for loss of income and employment benefits, inconvenience, emotional distress, humiliation and loss of normal life activities, plus attorney's fees, court costs, interest and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by the attorneys of Pratt & Tobin, P.C. in East Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000760