• Tweet

RELATED ARTICLES

• Offers pour in for very ill boy
• Plea for liver and kidney gifts
• Teen sells kidney to buy iPhone and iPad
• Boy, 4, kills father over Playstation

A New York woman who donated a kidney so her ailing boss would move up the transplant waiting list says she was fired shortly after the operation, according to a complaint she filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Deborah Stevens said her former employer, Atlantic Automotive Group, discriminated against her over disabilities brought about by complications from the surgery, and she plans to sue the company for lost earnings and damages.

The company, which runs car dealerships on Long Island, said Stevens's complaint is groundless.

"My gal is just a good-natured woman who's trying to save a life and as soon as she did it, everything changed," said Stevens' attorney Lenard Leeds on Tuesday.

"When she wanted to take time off, she was scolded, she was yelled at," he said. "Instead of being sympathetic, they were very hostile towards her."

Stevens, of Hicksville, New York, said she learned that Jacqueline Brucia, who worked at Atlantic Automotive, was in need of a kidney in November 2010. Stevens had worked there as well but at the time had temporarily moved to Florida.

Stevens said she told Brucia she would donate a kidney.

"Brucia declined, but told her, ‘You never know, I may have to take you up on that offer one day'," the complaint said.

Stevens learned the company would rehire her following her return to New York and not long afterward, Brucia told her a potential donor had not been approved by the hospital and asked if she was still willing to donate.

Stevens now believes Brucia was "grooming (Stevens) to be her ‘back-up plan,'" the complaint said.

Stevens's kidney was not a good match for Brucia, but she agreed to donate it to a stranger in St. Louis, Missouri, setting up a transplant chain that enabled Brucia to receive a better-matched kidney from a donor in San Francisco.

Surgeons removed Stevens's left kidney in August, and she returned to work about a month later.

The surgery left her with damaged nerves in her leg, digestive problems and mental health issues, her lawyer said.

At work, Brucia became "curt and dismissive", the complaint said.

Stevens said she was berated for taking sick days and forced to relocate to a less desirable office after she complained to human resources about Brucia's behaviour.

On April 11, the company fired her, citing performance reasons.

Stevens's lawyer said the complaint filed with the Division of Human Rights was a necessary step before a federal lawsuit is filed against Brucia and the company.

Atlantic Automotive released a statement saying: "It is unfortunate that one employee has used her own generous act to make up a groundless claim".

"Atlantic Auto treated her appropriately and acted honourably and fairly, at every turn," it said.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Sun May 19 07:43:41 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 25, 2012

LijahaSisu

That was your partner's kidney and wena you donate it to your boyfriends. His ancestors are now angry, just try to appease them.
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

tpaz

Where can i donate my womb?
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

LijahaSisu

tpaz
Zuma and MaKhumalo.
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

MsKinkyakaKamaSutra

@tpaz, new, pre-owned or second hand
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

JajasQueen

@tpaz
Where can i donate my womb?
___________________________

No one wants those....hospitals just incinerate them after removal.

Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Pelezizu

I suggest she demand her kidney back immediately...moral of the story - employers only care about the bottom line, so never be nice to your bosss outside work related issues..
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Bumboklaat

tpaz
Where can i donate my womb?
---------------------------------------------------
kikikikiki! Ke eng? haosa nyako ira bana?
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

ntebo

your boss didn't have the strength to fire u, you gave hime strength ka kidney ya gago
next time don't donate even water because ba ka tima a gago

Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

Raven

LijahaSisu
tpaz
Zuma and MaKhumalo
************
ahh thats not funny
Report Abuse

Apr 25, 2012

TKay

Demand your kidney back
Report Abuse

Read all 12 comments