Irma Becerra, a former employee of Pac Foundries, Inc., has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and discrimination due to her disability. The complaint was filed on February 26, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura. Becerra accuses Pac Foundries, Inc. of multiple violations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), including disability discrimination and failure to accommodate her medical condition.
The lawsuit outlines Becerra's long tenure with Pac Foundries, beginning in January 1986 as a Cutter earning $15.70 per hour. Her responsibilities included operating cutting machines and inspecting materials. In September 2022, she suffered a work-related shoulder injury due to repetitive movements required by her job. Despite informing her supervisors and human resources about her injury and subsequent medical restrictions—such as no lifting over five pounds—Becerra claims that Pac Foundries failed to provide reasonable accommodations or engage in an interactive process to address her needs.
Becerra underwent surgery for a rotator cuff injury in March 2023 and was placed on medical leave until September 2023. Upon attempting to return to work with documented medical restrictions, she was told by Human Resources Manager Lorena that there were no suitable positions available for her condition. On October 17, 2023, she was informed by Plant Manager Bill Farner that her employment was terminated due to extended absence.
The complaint alleges that Pac Foundries' actions were not only discriminatory but also retaliatory, as they terminated Becerra instead of accommodating her disabilities. It states that the company's conduct violated several provisions of the FEHA (California Government Code §12940 et seq.), including disability discrimination, failure to accommodate, failure to engage in a good faith interactive process, retaliation, and wrongful termination in violation of public policy.
Becerra seeks compensatory damages for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress damages, punitive damages for malicious conduct by Pac Foundries' management, attorney’s fees under California Government Code Section 12965(b), and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
The case is being handled by attorneys Roman Otkupman and Nidah Farishta from Otkupman Law Firm ALC. The case ID is 2025 CUVYT 03936.