CLEARWATER – A Pinellas County woman with a history of bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress order alleges that her disabilities were not accommodated by her former employer.
Rachelle Juarez filed a complaint on June 15 in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida - Pinellas County against Verizon Communications Inc., Verizon Services Corp. and Verizon Corp. Resources Group LLC alleging that they violated the Family and Medical Leave Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff began working with the defendants in 1999 and began working in Florida in 2015. The suit states she interviewed and was selected for a position in New York City, but upon arrival felt emotionally overwhelmed and requested to work from home and apply for positions outside of the area.
The plaintiff holds Verizon Communications Inc., Verizon Services Corp. and Verizon Corporation Resources Group LLC responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to make reasonable accommodations, placed her on leave without pay and refused to rehire her to all positions she applied within Verizon.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks economic and compensatory damages, liquidated damages, attorney fees, costs and all other relief that is just and equitable. She is represented by Patrice A. Pucci of Patrice A. Pucci PA in St. Petersburg.
6th Judicial Circuit of Florida - Pinellas County case number 17-003763-CI