Adela Hernandez, a former paralegal at a prominent law firm, has filed a lawsuit alleging severe workplace discrimination and harassment due to her disability. On January 6, 2025, Adela Hernandez filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California against Duane Morris LLP, accusing the firm of multiple violations under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The complaint outlines numerous grievances including disability discrimination, failure to accommodate her disabilities, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Hernandez's legal battle began after suffering two work-related injuries on May 1, 2020, and March 8, 2023. Despite her medical conditions requiring modified work duties as per her healthcare providers' recommendations, Hernandez claims that Duane Morris LLP failed to provide reasonable accommodations. "Instead of accommodating PLAINTIFF by complying with her medical restrictions," the complaint states, "DM harassed her and refused to comply with the medical restrictions." Her requests for accommodation were met with demands for further documentation from her doctors and outright refusals to honor them.
The plaintiff asserts that after returning from medical leave on August 7, 2023, she was forced to perform tasks beyond her physical limitations. This included lifting heavy files contrary to her doctor's advice. Despite receiving positive performance reviews in previous years and being promoted within the firm in November 2022, Hernandez was criticized for performance issues upon her return. The lawsuit accuses Duane Morris LLP of using these alleged deficiencies as a pretext for termination without cause on September 28, 2023.
Hernandez is seeking various forms of relief through this lawsuit. She demands general damages for lost wages and benefits due to unlawful employment practices by Duane Morris LLP. Additionally, she seeks special damages for emotional suffering caused by harassment and discrimination. The plaintiff also requests punitive damages due to the malicious nature of the defendant's actions and injunctive relief compelling compliance with California Labor Code §1198.5 regarding personnel file access.
Representing Adela Hernandez is attorney Daniel Ray Bacon from his San Francisco-based law office. The case is presided over by judges at the Superior Court of California under Case No. CGC-25-621182.