In a striking legal move, a former employee has filed a comprehensive lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging a multitude of labor violations and wrongful termination. The complaint was filed by Fabiola Zamora on March 24, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Ashwini S. Bhave and Bay Area Dental Specialists. This case highlights significant allegations that could have far-reaching implications for employment practices within the dental industry.
Fabiola Zamora's lawsuit is extensive, citing numerous grievances during her tenure at Bay Area Dental Specialists. She began working there as a dental hygienist/assistant in 2017 and was terminated on January 9, 2025. Her claims include wrongful termination under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), failure to prevent discrimination, failure to engage in an interactive process regarding her disability, retaliation for asserting her rights under various labor codes, and multiple wage-related violations. Zamora alleges that she was wrongfully terminated due to perceived disability discrimination after reporting work-related injuries and requesting medical accommodations which were ignored by her employer. According to the complaint, "Defendants ignored plaintiff and did not provide her with medical treatment through workers’ compensation or provide the required reporting forms." Furthermore, she accuses the defendants of unfair business practices by failing to pay wages properly and denying meal and rest breaks.
The lawsuit details how Zamora's back injury in October 2024 led to medical restrictions which were not accommodated by her employer despite repeated requests. She claims that this lack of accommodation contributed significantly to her termination: "Plaintiff alleges on information and belief that she was fired by defendants due to discrimination for her perceived disability." Additionally, Zamora contends that she was consistently denied proper wage payments including overtime compensation: "Defendants’ practices required plaintiff to frequently work regular and overtime hours without compensation for such hours."
Zamora seeks various forms of relief from the court including general damages for emotional distress caused by these alleged violations; special damages covering medical expenses; compensatory damages for lost wages; punitive damages intended to punish the defendants; as well as attorney’s fees and costs associated with bringing this action forward. She also demands a jury trial as part of pursuing justice.
Representing Fabiola Zamora is attorney Noel D. Hibbard from San Jose while Ashwini S. Bhave along with Bay Area Dental Specialists face these serious allegations in court under Case No. 25CV461806 overseen by Judge M. Suarez.