Claiming her employer fired her for depression, a woman filed a discrimination and civil rights lawsuit earlier this month in New Orleans federal court, according to louisianarecord.com. The plaintiff began work as a marketing associate for Pamlab in July 2007. In 2008, doctors diagnosed her with depression and she began taking medication for the illness.
She began working for a new manager at Pamlab in 2009, and that is when the problems allegedly began. The plaintiff cites a specific incident where she (plaintiff) commented about an e-mail regarding a story in the local newspaper. The manager told her that her comment was out of line with Pamlab’s culture and beliefs. The manager fired her.
The plaintiff says that no other employees lost their jobs for commenting on the newspaper story and claims a violation of her employee rights. She alleges the real reason for her termination was her depression and gender.
Depression affects millions of Americans every year. If left untreated, depression can cause severe sickness, suicidal thoughts and death. The illness strikes twice as many women than it does men, and 12 percent of women will experience clinical depression in their lifetime. It can weaken the immune system and make the body susceptible to other illnesses. However, it is one of the most treatable illnesses and about 80 percent of sufferers find relief through medication.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans injury attorneys