Allegations of workplace discrimination and retaliation have surfaced in a lawsuit filed against a major healthcare provider. Alisia Alva Hammette, the plaintiff, lodged a complaint on May 8, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Ochsner Clinic Foundation. The case highlights significant claims of employment discrimination and hostile work environment under federal and state laws.
The narrative unfolds with Hammette's tenure at Ochsner Clinic Foundation beginning in September 2018 as a Medical Assistant, later advancing to a Licensed Practical Nurse by February 2022. Despite receiving positive performance evaluations and employer-funded tuition, Hammette's employment journey took a drastic turn on January 17, 2025. On this day, she was allegedly harassed by a coworker known for instability and false accusations. The incident was captured on hospital surveillance cameras but was purportedly mishandled by the employer who relied on an anonymous statement to suspend and eventually terminate her employment without conducting a fair investigation.
Hammette had previously sought intervention from Human Resources as early as December 2024 due to ongoing false allegations from the same coworker. During her suspension without pay, it is claimed that confidential details about the incident were shared by a department manager with other coworkers, further tarnishing her reputation. These actions led to Hammette’s termination from Ochsner Clinic Foundation following the events of January 17.
In her legal filing, Hammette accuses Ochsner Clinic Foundation of multiple violations including discrimination based on sex or perceived sexual orientation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She also claims retaliation for reporting harassment and requesting HR intervention—actions protected under federal law. Additionally, she cites breaches under Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law for both discrimination and retaliation.
Furthermore, Hammette alleges defamation when false information regarding her situation was spread within the workplace by management personnel. She contends that these actions not only harmed her professional standing but also inflicted severe emotional distress.
The relief sought by Hammette includes compensatory damages for lost wages, emotional distress, reputational harm, and financial hardship due to forced retirement fund withdrawals. She also seeks punitive damages where applicable and requests reinstatement to her prior position or compensation for future lost wages if reinstatement is not feasible.
Representing herself pro se in this matter, Alisia Alva Hammette has laid out her grievances against Ochsner Clinic Foundation in hopes of obtaining justice through judicial intervention. The case has been assigned Case ID: 2:25-cv-00914-LMA-DPC with no attorneys listed yet for either party nor any judge names provided at this stage.