In a shocking case from 2012, Deborah Stevens, a New York woman, alleges she was unjustly fired from her job at Atlantic Automotive Group after donating a kidney to help her supervisor, Jacqueline Brucia, move up the transplant waiting list.
Stevens underwent surgery in August 2011 to donate her left kidney as part of a paired exchange, which enabled Brucia to receive a kidney from another donor.
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The procedure, however, left Stevens with nerve damage in her leg, digestive issues, and psychological distress, according to her attorney.
Stevens returned to work about a month later but claims Brucia became “curt and dismissive.”
She alleges she was criticized for taking sick leave and, after raising concerns about Brucia’s behavior with human resources, was reassigned to a less desirable office location 50 miles from her home.
On April 11, 2012, Stevens was terminated, with Atlantic Automotive citing “performance issues” as the reason.
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Stevens filed a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights, a step toward a federal discrimination lawsuit against Brucia and the company.
Her attorney, Lenard Leeds, argues the firing was retaliatory and linked to disabilities from the surgery.
Atlantic Automotive, in a statement, called Stevens’ claims “groundless,” insisting they treated her “appropriately and fairly at every turn.” Attempts to contact Brucia for comment were unsuccessful.
