Health Insurer Sued for Firing Veteran Nurse with Nerve Disorder

Lawsuit alleges Elevance Health discriminated against and terminated employee Priscilla Kamoi due to her disability and requests for accommodations.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 8:10am

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A lawsuit has been filed against Elevance Health and Blue Cross of California, alleging that the companies discriminated against longtime employee Priscilla Kamoi, a registered nurse who worked for the company for 17 years. The complaint claims the company failed to provide reasonable accommodations for Kamoi's severe trigeminal neuralgia, retaliated against her for requesting accommodations, and ultimately terminated her employment in May 2025. The lawsuit also alleges discrimination based on race and national origin.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges faced by employees with disabilities in the workplace and the importance of employers providing reasonable accommodations as required by law. It also raises questions about potential discrimination against minority employees in the healthcare industry.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Kamoi developed a debilitating condition - severe trigeminal neuralgia - in late 2018, causing her excruciating pain and difficulty with basic functions like eating and speaking. The complaint alleges that despite Kamoi's strong performance over 17 years, the company imposed strict productivity quotas, disciplined her when her disability prevented her from meeting them, and repeatedly denied her requests for accommodations like extra time and breaks. The lawsuit claims this pattern of retaliation culminated in Kamoi's termination in May 2025.

  • Kamoi began working at Elevance Health (then Wellpoint) in August 2008.
  • Kamoi developed severe trigeminal neuralgia in late 2018.
  • Kamoi requested accommodations for her condition in a January 2023 email to supervisors.
  • Kamoi's physician submitted a formal accommodation request in May 2024, which was denied within two weeks.
  • Kamoi was terminated from her position on May 22, 2025.

The players

Priscilla Kamoi

A registered nurse who worked for Elevance Health for 17 years before being terminated in May 2025.

Elevance Health, Inc.

A major health insurance company that was formerly known as Wellpoint and is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Blue Cross of California

A health insurance company that is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Helmer Friedman LLP

The law firm representing Priscilla Kamoi in the lawsuit.

The Carr Law Group

The law firm co-representing Priscilla Kamoi in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“The law is unambiguous: an employer cannot punish a disabled employee for being disabled, and it cannot refuse to provide a simple accommodation — like a little extra time — and then use the employee's resulting 'performance deficiency' as a pretext to fire her. That is precisely what the law against disability discrimination was designed to prevent.”

— Gregory Helmer, Attorney, Helmer Friedman LLP

“There is a cruel irony in a major health insurance company — one that profits from the healthcare system — showing so little regard for the health and dignity of a nurse who spent 17 years caring for its members.”

— James Carr, Attorney, The Carr Law Group

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by employees with disabilities in the workplace and the importance of employers upholding their legal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations. It also raises concerns about potential discrimination against minority workers in the healthcare industry.