Eliasar Silva, a former employee of Universal Protection Service, LP, has filed a lawsuit alleging discrimination and wrongful termination due to his disability. The complaint was filed on February 25, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara against Universal Protection Service, LP. Silva's claims include violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), failure to provide reasonable accommodations, and wrongful termination.
According to the court documents, Eliasar Silva began working for Universal Protection Service as a FLEX Officer in February 2020. He was responsible for security duties such as fire watch and COVID-19 prevention across multiple client sites. Despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia, Silva claims he performed his job competently until experiencing panic attacks in May 2024. These incidents led him to notify his employer about his condition and request accommodations. However, Silva alleges that instead of receiving support, he faced inquiries from management questioning whether he had informed previous managers or Human Resources about his disability.
Silva's situation worsened when he found himself removed from the work schedule without explanation. Upon inquiry, he was told by his manager Beatrice Doe that an investigation was pending due to his absences caused by medical emergencies. Despite providing a doctor's note confirming his condition on June 6, 2024, Silva received no further communication regarding his employment status. In July 2024, HR representative Rochelle Macaraeg requested additional documentation from Silva's doctor but did not follow up after receiving it.
By September 9, 2024, Silva discovered through a visit to the company's office that he had been terminated effective June 30th—a decision he was never formally notified about. Shocked by this revelation and the lack of response from HR or management regarding his attempts to return to work, Silva decided to take legal action.
In the lawsuit filed by attorney Benjamin Eghbali of Eghbali Firm based in Los Angeles, Silva accuses Universal Protection Service of violating several provisions under FEHA including discrimination based on disability and failing to provide reasonable accommodations required by law. The complaint also highlights wrongful termination as a result of these discriminatory practices which have caused significant emotional distress and financial loss for Silva.
Silva seeks compensatory damages for lost wages along with general damages for mental anguish suffered due to alleged mistreatment at work related directly or indirectly towards his mental health condition—schizophrenia—as well as punitive damages aimed at deterring similar conduct by employers in future cases involving employees with disabilities seeking accommodation rights under state laws like FEHA among others cited within this case file documentation provided herein today before you now!
The case is being handled by Judge M. Arechiga under Case ID: 25CV459773 at Santa Clara County Superior Court where both parties will present their arguments moving forward into what promises potentially long drawn-out proceedings given complexities involved surrounding employment law issues raised therein so far thus far already noted above here today too!