A California resident has filed a lawsuit against a major healthcare provider, alleging multiple violations of employment law. The complaint was lodged by Alexander Dewey in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, on December 3, 2024, against Sutter Valley Hospitals. Dewey accuses the hospital of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation related to his disability.
According to the complaint filed by Alexander Dewey through his attorney Michael Freiman, Sutter Valley Hospitals is accused of several violations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and California Labor Code. Dewey claims that from around 2020 to the present, he was subjected to discrimination due to his hearing impairment. He alleges that despite repeated requests for reasonable accommodations such as transcription services and closed captioning, the hospital failed to provide these essential aids. "Defendant failed to engage in a timely good faith interactive process," Dewey asserts in his filing.
The lawsuit details how Sutter Valley Hospitals allegedly engaged in a pattern of delay and hostility towards Dewey's accommodation requests. Specific incidents cited include failures in January, April, and June 2024 where necessary accommodations were not provided during critical interactions like telephonic interviews. Dewey further claims that the hospital misrepresented its intentions by promising accommodations that were never fulfilled.
Dewey also accuses Sutter Valley Hospitals of failing to investigate or take corrective action regarding his complaints about their non-compliance with accommodation needs. This lack of action reportedly led to continued discrimination and retaliation against him for asserting his rights under FEHA and opposing unlawful practices within the organization.
In addition to seeking compensation for lost wages and benefits due to these alleged violations, Dewey is pursuing punitive damages citing oppression and malice on part of the defendants. His legal action demands statutory penalties, compensatory damages for emotional distress suffered due to this ordeal, as well as attorneys' fees and other costs incurred during litigation.
Represented by attorney Michael Freiman from Santa Monica-based Law Office of Michael Freiman, Alexander Dewey's case is set before judges at the Superior Court of California in Sacramento County under Case No.: 2achayr O24 50-4. The complaint names both Sutter Valley Hospitals and unnamed individuals referred to as Does 1 through 20 as defendants.