A woman claims a healthcare company unlawfully denied her contract work because of her disability and use of service dogs.
Mary E. Gaidry filed her federal lawsuit against LCMC Health, which operates New Orleans East Hospital and Tulane Lakeside Hospital.
According to the complaint, Gaidry suffers from Lupus and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and uses service dogs to manage her conditions. The dogs alert her of blood pressure drops or impending tremors and help with PTSD.
Gaidry, a diagnostic sonographer employed through staffing agency X-Tech, alleges she was subjected to harassment by staff members at the hospital due to their fear of her service dogs. Despite this, she continued to receive work assignments at the hospital.
The complaint further details an incident in late 2022 when Gaidry reported to work with one of her dogs, Mika. Unbeknownst to her, a breast biopsy had been scheduled in the ultrasound procedure room where she was stationed – a procedure considered by LCMC to require a sterile environment.
Gaidry is seeking monetary damages and injunctive and declaratory relief for violation of her rights under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.