In a legal battle stirring Michigan‘s legal landscape, a woman asserts she faced termination from cannabis giant TerrAscend Corp. after seeking accommodations for a medical condition, according to a federal lawsuit filed Friday.
TerrAscend Accused Of Retaliation : Allegations Unveiled
Kristina Emiry’s lawsuit, lodged in a Michigan federal court, claims she was initially hired by a cannabis entity later acquired by TerrAscend Corp. Coinciding with her employment, Emiry contends she began grappling with a chronic medical condition, her lawsuit reveals.
Claims of Retaliation
Emiry asserts that after requesting protected medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) due to her health concerns, her tenure at TerrAscend faced jeopardy. Despite approval for her leave extension until mid-August the following year, she alleges receiving threatening emails from her manager, Luke Espinoza, regarding potential termination.
A Desperate Plea
In her plea for accommodations, Emiry claims to have sought clarity on her job responsibilities and preferred written communication over verbal exchanges. However, she alleges receiving no response to her requests and was abruptly terminated, with attendance issues cited by the company.
TerrAscend Accused Of Retaliation : Legal Grounds
The lawsuit raises multiple counts, including FMLA interference and retaliation, alongside violations of Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act of 1976 and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Emiry’s legal counsel, Noah Hurwitz of Hurwitz Law PLLC, spearheads her representation in the case.
TerrAscend’s Response
TerrAscend Corp. remained silent on the matter as attempts for immediate comment proved futile. Counsel information for the company was not promptly accessible.
The Legal Battlefield
The case, identified as Emiry v. TerrAscend Corp., unfolds in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan under case number 2:24-cv-10215.
TerrAscend Accused Of Retaliation : Closing Argument
As the legal saga unfolds, Emiry’s plight sheds light on the intricacies of workplace accommodations and the potential repercussions of seeking protection under federal and state disability laws.
