A former employee has filed a lawsuit against home care service provider Eprine Home Care, Inc., alleging discrimination and wrongful termination linked to her pregnancy.
According to the lawsuit filed by plaintiff Yaniris Mejia, her tenure began on December 2, 2020, and she was employed as a non-exempt hourly home attendant responsible for providing essential caregiving services. Mejia claims that after notifying her employer of her high-risk pregnancy in October 2023, she faced discrimination and retaliation instead of accommodation. Despite her condition requiring medical leave starting June 14, 2024, she alleges that Eprine Home Care terminated her employment on the same day without proper notice or engagement in any required interactive process to accommodate her needs.
Mejia's complaint recounts several instances where Eprine Home Care allegedly failed to uphold its publicly stated values of compassion and individualized support. Despite the company's promises of an inclusive work environment that values employee well-being, Mejia claims she was met with silence and exclusion when attempting to return from maternity leave. The plaintiff asserts that these actions were discriminatory and retaliatory under laws such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), and New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL).
Mejia is demanding lost wages, emotional distress damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and any other remedies deemed appropriate by the court. She is represented by attorney Jordan El-Hag of El-Hag & Associates P.C.
This case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID: 1:25-cv-01986.