California Dental Worker Files Lawsuit Claiming Disability Discrimination and Wrongful Termination

Workplace injuries are more common than many people realize, particularly in environments where employees spend extended periods on their feet or performing repetitive tasks. In a recent lawsuit, a Bay Area dental employee claims that instead of receiving the support she asked for, she was fired shortly after she reported her injuries and sought accommodations from her employer.

In March 2025, a former dental hygienist and assistant filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court against Bay Area Dental Specialists and its owner. The employee alleges that she was fired after she reported work-related injuries in October 2024 and asked for medical accommodations.

The employer ignored her request for reasonable accommodations, according to the complaint. Instead, she was fired in January 2025 after working at the dental practice since 2017. The lawsuit alleges wrongful termination and disability discrimination in violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

FEHA protects California workers from discrimination based on a disability or medical condition. It also requires employers to take reasonable steps to discuss possible accommodations with employees who need them. 

Workers may need various types of accommodations for different reasons, and the law recognizes that. For example, an employee recovering from an injury might need a temporary change in duties that avoids heavy lifting, extra breaks to manage pain, or time away from work for medical treatment. 

In other cases, a modified work schedule, ergonomic equipment, or help with specific physical tasks may allow the worker to continue doing their job successfully. What matters is that the employer considers the request in good faith and tries to find a workable solution that allows the employee to continue performing their essential duties.

Along with allegations of disability discrimination, the lawsuit also claims wage and hour violations. The dental assistant claimed she was denied overtime pay and didn’t receive meal and rest breaks as required by California law.

Nonexempt workers have the right to overtime pay for hours worked beyond eight in a day or 40 in a week. Workers must also receive a meal break if they work more than five hours in a shift and rest breaks based on the length of their shift. When employers fail to follow these rules, workers may be entitled to recover unpaid wages and financial penalties. The wage-related allegations in this case serve as a reminder that workplace disputes can often involve multiple legal issues at the same time.

The lawsuit also mentions retaliation. California law makes it unlawful for employers to retaliate against workers who report injuries or ask for reasonable accommodations. Retaliation can take various forms, including termination, discipline, changes in job assignments, or any negative action against the employee. When a worker loses their job right after reporting an injury and seeking reasonable accommodations, retaliation may be a factor. This is especially true when the timing between the protected activity and the job loss is close, as alleged in this case.

Our San Francisco disability discrimination lawyers represent workers in cases similar to these and other employment law issues. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your situation and explore your legal options.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. McCormack Law Firm is not involved in this case.