Social justice nonprofit accused of firing ‘model employee’ after he took medical leave for migraines

A Los Angeles nonprofit dedicated to social justice and supporting underserved communities is seeking to dismiss several claims in a lawsuit brought by a former program manager who alleges he was fired for taking medical leave to treat chronic migraines.The Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade (LABC) has asked a judge to throw out portions of Jose Loera's lawsuit, including allegations of retaliation, failure to provide reasonable accommodations and failure to prevent discrimination.The organization is also seeking to dismiss Loera's request for punitive damages.The hearing will be held here, at the Los Angeles Superior Court (AFP/Getty)In court documents filed Thursday, LABC attorneys argued that Loera had failed to establish sufficient grounds for several of his claims."Plaintiff's own allegations defeat his interactive-process claim," the nonprofit's lawyers wrote.They pointed to Loera's assertion that he had provided medical documentation clearing him to return to work "at full capacity and without any restrictions.""After that release, there was nothing left to discuss," the attorneys argued.Motorists wait in line to receive free Thanksgiving food baskets in 2025 at an event held by the Brotherhood Crusade (Getty)The organization also contended that Loera had failed to distinguish between his allegations of disability discrimination and retaliation.According to its lawyers, the lawsuit does not identify specific protected activity that would support a separate retaliation claim."Calling the same facts both discrimination and retaliation" does not meet the legal requirements for establishing retaliation, the attorneys argued.LABC further maintained that Loera had not provided sufficient allegations of malice, oppression or fraud to justify punitive damages.The motion does not seek dismissal of Loera's central claims of wrongful termination and disability discrimination, although the organization could challenge those allegations in a subsequent motion.Loera alleges that his employment deteriorated after he began experiencing chronic migraine headaches in September 2025 (Getty/iStock)A hearing on the request is scheduled for December 9 before Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Richard L. Fruin.Loera joined the nonprofit in October 2023 as a program manager and earned an annual salary of $80,000.His responsibilities included supervising staff, overseeing daily operations and ensuring that program objectives were met."Simply put, plaintiff was a model employee," the lawsuit states.However, Loera alleges that his employment deteriorated after he began experiencing chronic migraine headaches in September 2025.He sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a cyst that required surgery, according to the complaint.Doctors advised him to take medical leave from September until January to undergo the procedure and recover.Loera said he kept his employer informed about his condition, including providing an update in December.Before his planned return in January, he allegedly submitted the necessary medical documentation confirming that he was fit to resume his duties.But instead of returning to work, Loera claims his employer fired him on January 5.The dismissal left him in "utter shock," according to the lawsuit, because he had not anticipated that taking medical leave for a disability would jeopardize his employment.Loera alleges that he was left "embarrassed, ashamed, emotionally hurt and in financial desperation" as a result of losing his job.He contends that his termination was connected to his disability and the time he took off for treatment.The lawsuit was initially filed February 26 and amended July 8.Founded in 1968, the Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade describes its mission as promoting equity and social justice while improving opportunities for underserved communities.Its programs include youth development, mentoring, financial literacy, health education and economic development.The nonprofit denies that Loera has established grounds for several of his legal claims and asks the court to narrow the case before further proceedings.