EAST ST. LOUIS - A former Bliss Haven employee claims she was unlawfully fired due to her disability.
Plaintiff Jennifer R. Brouwer filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against defendant Bliss Haven, Inc., citing discrimination and retaliatory termination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA).
According to the lawsuit, Brouwer was hired as an employee by Bliss Haven on Nov. 1, 2021. Brouwer states that at the time of her hiring, she informed her supervisor that she had a tumor near her brain that could cause her to experience blackouts at any time.
The lawsuit states that on Nov. 15, 2021, she had a blackout at work but was able to return to work the next day. On Dec. 23, 2021, Brouwer allegedly suffered a seizure at home that caused her to injure her head, an injury that would cause her to feel dizzy at work. On Dec. 28, 2021, the plaintiff went to the hospital and doctors advised her not to return to work until she was properly diagnosed by a neurosurgeon. On Jan. 11, Brouwer returned to work, but was told that she could not return to her position until she had taken care of her medical condition.
Brouwer claims she was qualified to perform the essential functions of her job and that the defendant refused to make appropriate accommodations for her disability as required by the ADA and IHRA.
The plaintiff claims that as a result of the defendant's actions, she has suffered emotional pain, metal anguish and lost wages and benefits. She is demanding a jury trial to determine damages for lost wages, benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. She is represented in this case by attorneys Nathan C. Volheim and Chad Eisenback of Sulaiman Law Group, LTD in Lombard.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:33-CV-02050