A former employee of a California medical center has filed a lawsuit alleging severe workplace discrimination and harassment. Cathy Kirkwood, represented by Fraigun Law Group, lodged the complaint against Los Robles Regional Medical Center, HCA Healthcare, Inc., and others in the Ventura Superior Court on April 3, 2025. The lawsuit accuses these entities of age, gender, and race discrimination, among other violations.
Cathy Kirkwood worked as a per diem Cytologist at Los Robles Medical Center from October 2022 until her termination in December 2024. During her tenure, she claims to have faced numerous discriminatory practices. According to the complaint, Kirkwood was initially praised for her competence and even promoted to full-time status due to her strong performance. However, she alleges that issues began when she raised safety concerns about inadequate protective equipment provided by her employer. Despite repeated complaints about ill-fitting lead aprons exposing her to radiation risks, her concerns were allegedly ignored.
The situation worsened when a younger male colleague was hired and received preferential treatment over Kirkwood. She asserts that he was given training opportunities denied to her due to her age (57), gender (female), and race (Asian). Her repeated requests for equal training were reportedly met with dismissive responses from management. Kirkwood further claims that after voicing concerns about safety and discrimination internally and through official channels like HR and union representatives, she faced retaliation rather than resolution.
Kirkwood's lawsuit outlines numerous instances where she communicated grievances about unsafe working conditions and discriminatory practices without receiving adequate responses or corrective actions from the hospital's management. In one instance, after raising concerns about non-compliance with federal regulations affecting patient care, she was told by an HR manager to consider leaving if the environment was too toxic.
The legal action lists multiple causes including age discrimination under FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act), failure to prevent harassment, violation of labor codes regarding workplace safety standards, unfair business practices under California Business & Professions Code §17200, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and various forms of retaliation against whistleblowing activities.
Kirkwood seeks compensatory damages for lost earnings and benefits along with punitive damages intended to penalize the defendants for their alleged misconduct. She also demands attorney fees incurred while pursuing justice for these grievances.
Representing Cathy Kirkwood is Marina Kats Fraigun from Fraigun Law Group based in Sherman Oaks. The case is presided over by Judge Brenda L. WibComa with Case No. 2025 CUT O41 51 ¥ filed under unlimited civil jurisdiction in Ventura County Superior Court.