A former employee is taking legal action against a corporation, alleging a series of workplace violations that culminated in her wrongful termination. Maria Guadalupe Nunez filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on April 11, 2025, against Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
The lawsuit filed by Nunez accuses Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., a Delaware Corporation operating in Ventura County, California, of multiple violations under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and various sections of the California Labor Code. The plaintiff claims she was subjected to disability discrimination following a workplace injury that resulted in a minor loss of mobility in her arm. This injury led to a workers' compensation claim being filed in early 2024. Following this claim, Nunez alleges she experienced harassment from coworkers and supervisors who submitted unfounded complaints about her attitude to Human Resources. Despite having an exemplary work record prior to her injury, Nunez was publicly berated by a team lead while a supervisor looked on without intervening. Instead of addressing these issues, Pentair suspended Nunez for investigation based on these complaints.
Nunez further alleges that Pentair failed to provide reasonable accommodations for her disability or engage in an interactive process to determine suitable accommodations. Additionally, as a Spanish-speaking individual, she claims inadequate language support was provided during critical meetings and proceedings related to her workers' compensation claim. This lack of support resulted in delays to her hearing initially scheduled for March 13, 2025.
The complaint also details several labor law violations by Pentair including failure to provide meal and rest periods as required by law during her regular 12-hour shifts. Moreover, it asserts that overtime wages were improperly calculated with only time-and-a-half pay instead of double-time for hours worked beyond twelve per day.
On March 12, 2025—one day before her rescheduled workers' compensation hearing—Nunez's employment was terminated under allegations of misconduct. She argues this termination was retaliatory due to the timing and absence of prior disciplinary issues throughout her six-year tenure at the company.
Nunez seeks general damages including lost earnings and benefits along with special damages for emotional distress caused by the alleged discrimination and retaliation. She is also pursuing statutory penalties under various labor codes alongside punitive damages aimed at deterring similar conduct by Pentair or other employers.
Represented by attorneys Joshua I. White and Samara Cidrim from Laurel Employment Law APC based in Santa Monica, CA; Maria Guadalupe Nunez demands trial by jury seeking justice against what she perceives as unlawful practices committed by Pentair Water Pool & Spa Inc., Case No: 2O2S5SCUVWYT041946 presided over within Ventura Superior Court jurisdiction.