A former employee has filed a lawsuit against a major foodservice company, alleging a series of employment law violations that include disability discrimination and wrongful termination. Rafael Beltran initiated the complaint on December 26, 2024, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against U.S. Foodservice, Inc., a Delaware-based company.
The case revolves around Beltran's claims that his employer discriminated against him due to his physical disabilities, failed to accommodate his medical needs, and ultimately terminated him in retaliation for exercising his rights under California's Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). According to the complaint, Beltran was employed as a driver by U.S. Foodservice from September 2017 until August 27, 2024. During this period, he alleges that he was denied proper rest breaks and provided with inaccurate wage statements. The complaint states that after suffering an injury to his right arm and shoulder on July 22, 2024, Beltran was placed on work restrictions by his doctors. Despite informing U.S. Foodservice of these restrictions through medical notes, Beltran claims the company refused to accommodate him and instead instructed him not to come into work before terminating his employment.
Beltran accuses U.S. Foodservice of failing to engage in a good faith interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations for his disability as required by FEHA. He also asserts that the company violated CFRA by retaliating against him for taking medical leave related to his injuries. Furthermore, Beltran contends that U.S. Foodservice engaged in unfair business practices by not maintaining accurate wage records or providing legally mandated rest periods.
In seeking justice from the court, Beltran is requesting compensatory damages for emotional distress and lost wages along with punitive damages due to what he describes as willful misconduct by U.S. Foodservice. He is also asking for civil penalties related to labor code violations and attorney’s fees incurred during the legal proceedings.
Representing Rafael Beltran are attorneys Kane Moon, Christopher Garcia, and Tamar Chobanian from Moon Law Group PC based in Los Angeles. The case has been assigned Case ID 24CV455010 in front of Judge L. Ayala at the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara County.