Plaintiff Alleges Former Employer Discriminated Against Her Disability

In a compelling legal battle that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the workplace, Jaclyn Cimino has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. The complaint was lodged on December 30, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Cimino’s allegations against the hospital include multiple violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), discrimination based on disability, and failure to provide reasonable accommodations.

The case centers around Cimino’s employment experience at Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital (LPCH), where she worked as a Recreation/Child Life Therapist from January 8, 2018, until her forced resignation on October 25, 2024. As a T-3/4 paraplegic who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, Cimino claims that LPCH consistently failed to accommodate her disability despite numerous requests over several years. She cites specific instances such as being denied accessible parking spaces and automatic door buttons, having obstructed pathways due to large boxes, and being refused a modified work schedule that would allow her to work one day from home.

Cimino’s lawsuit accuses LPCH of not only ignoring her accommodation requests but also fostering a hostile work environment where derogatory remarks about her disability were commonplace. For example, colleagues reportedly referred to her as “hot wheels” and made other disparaging comments about her use of a wheelchair. These actions contributed to what Cimino describes as an exclusionary culture at LPCH that marginalized employees with disabilities.

In addition to seeking actual damages for lost wages and benefits due to constructive discharge, Cimino is pursuing punitive damages for emotional distress and physical injuries exacerbated by LPCH’s alleged negligence. Her complaint outlines numerous legal violations by LPCH under California law, including failure to engage in an interactive process for accommodation requests and retaliation for raising health and safety concerns.

Representing Cimino are attorneys Yosef Peretz and Shane Howarter from Peretz & Associates. The case is being reviewed under Case ID 25CV483421 by Judge M. Johnson in the Superior Court of California.