Veteran Nurse Sues Elevance Health for Firing Her Over Disability

Lawsuit alleges healthcare giant discriminated against longtime employee with debilitating nerve condition

Mar. 17, 2026 at 8:19am

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A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleges that Elevance Health and Blue Cross of California 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.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns about how major healthcare companies treat employees with disabilities, especially those in critical frontline roles like nursing. It also raises questions about the enforcement of disability discrimination laws and whether companies are prioritizing profits over the wellbeing of their workforce.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Kamoi began working at Anthem Blue Cross (now Elevance Health) in 2008 and had an exemplary performance record, earning regular raises and bonuses. However, in late 2018 she developed severe trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating nerve condition causing excruciating pain. Despite Kamoi's requests for accommodations like extra time and breaks during pain episodes, the company allegedly imposed strict productivity quotas, disciplined her for not meeting them, and ultimately fired her in May 2025.

  • Kamoi began working at Anthem Blue Cross (now Elevance Health) in August 2008.
  • In late 2018, Kamoi developed severe trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating nerve condition.
  • In January 2023, Kamoi emailed supervisors describing her condition and attaching photos of herself during a pain episode.
  • In May 2024, Kamoi's physician submitted a formal accommodation request, which was denied within two weeks.
  • On May 22, 2025, Kamoi was fired from her position.

The players

Priscilla Kamoi

A licensed Registered Nurse and 17-year veteran employee of Anthem Blue Cross and Elevance Health who filed the lawsuit alleging discrimination and wrongful termination.

Elevance Health, Inc.

The healthcare company that employed Kamoi and is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Blue Cross of California

The health insurance company that employed Kamoi and is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Helmer Friedman LLP

The law firm that filed the lawsuit on behalf of Kamoi.

The Carr Law Group

The law firm that filed the lawsuit on behalf of Kamoi.

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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 that workers with disabilities face in the healthcare industry, where companies are expected to prioritize patient care but may not always extend the same consideration to their own employees. It underscores the need for stronger enforcement of disability discrimination laws to protect vulnerable workers.