Farrugia
After losing her job, a pharmaceutical sales representative has filed a lawsuit against her employer that claims she was discriminated against because of her depression.
Claiming violations of her civil rights and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Jennifer L. Impastato filed suit against Pamlab on Aug. 5 in federal court in New Orleans.
Impastato was hired to work for the pharmaceuticals company in July 2007 as a marketing associate. At the time of her termination in September 2010, she was working in an inside sales position.
According to the lawsuit, Impastato was diagnosed with depression in 2008 and prescribed medication for treatment.
In November 2009, she took a new position with the company and was placed under a new manager, who allegedly discriminated against Impastato due to her depression disability.
Ultimately, she was terminated five days after returning from medical leave for commenting on an email about a local online newspaper article. She was told that the email was not within the culture or beliefs of the company. Impastato states that other employees were not terminated for responding to this email and the reason for her termination was a pretext for discrimination based on her gender and disability.
The plaintiff is asking the court to issue an injunction restraining the Defendant from further unlawful practices and for an award of back pay, interest, bonuses, pension, lost benefits, front pay, pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of reputation, embarrassment, humiliation, punitive damages, court costs and attorney's fees.
Impastato is represented by New Orleans attorney Victor R. Farrugia. A jury trial is
requested.
U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt is assigned to the case.
Case No. 2:11-cv-01889