A former employee has taken legal action against a major healthcare provider, alleging racial discrimination and retaliation in the workplace. Tiesha T. Weston filed a complaint against Ochsner Clinic Foundation in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on September 24, 2024.
The case centers around Weston's claims that during her employment at Ochsner's Lake Charles facility, she faced racial discrimination and was unfairly terminated. According to the complaint, Weston began working as a Patient Access Representative (PAR) in July 2019 and expressed interest in transitioning to a Medical Assistant (MA) role in September 2022. Despite being approved for this transition and receiving a pay raise, Weston alleges that Ochsner failed to provide her with necessary training and opportunities afforded to her Caucasian colleagues.
Weston recounts multiple instances where she felt discriminated against due to her race. She claims that despite assurances of career advancement, she was confined to receptionist duties while other employees were allowed to progress. The complaint details how Weston was denied part-time status to attend nursing school, an opportunity granted to a Caucasian coworker under similar circumstances. Additionally, Weston alleges that after reporting these issues as racial discrimination to Human Resources on April 18, 2023, she faced retaliation leading up to her termination on May 4, 2023.
The lawsuit accuses Ochsner Clinic Foundation of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 U.S.C. § 1981 by engaging in discriminatory practices based on race and retaliating against Weston for opposing such practices. The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including back pay, compensatory damages for emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief.
Representing Tiesha T. Weston are attorneys James E. Sudduth III and Kourtney L. Kech from Sudduth & Associates LLC. The case is filed under Case ID: 2:24-cv-01304 with no specific judge mentioned at this stage.