A woman has reached a tentative settlement of her lawsuit against a hotel chain in which she alleged she was wrongfully fired from her barista job because she took a doctor-approved medical leave after spraining her ankle on hotel property in 2021.
An attorney for plaintiff Lauren Koontz filed papers Friday with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Teresa Beaudet notifying her of a “conditional” settlement of the plaintiff’s case against Residence Inn by Marriott LLC, and that a request for dismissal will be filed later. No terms were divulged.
Koontz sued April 4, alleging wrongful termination, misrepresentation and various violations of the state Fair Employment and Housing Act. Koontz worked as a barista at Starbucks store within the Residence Inn Los Angeles LAX/Century Boulevard.
Koontz took a doctor-approved medical leave after spraining her ankle on hotel property in August 2021 and updated management on her condition while she was off work, the suit stated.
Doctors told Koontz that her injury would take about eight to 10 weeks to heal, according to the suit.
“Defendants have refused to return plaintiff to work due to her disability/perceived disability,” the suit stated.
In their court papers, attorneys for the hotel chain denied Koontz’s allegations, arguing that they were barred in whole or in part by the statute of limitations and said her lawsuit should be dismissed.