In a striking case that underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the workplace, Nemencio Garcia has filed a lawsuit against Bystronic Inc., alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The complaint was filed on February 27, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Bystronic Inc., a company specializing in sheet metal processing technology, is accused of wrongful termination and failure to accommodate Garcia’s disability.
Garcia’s ordeal began in July 2023 when he joined Bystronic as a field service engineer. His role required extensive travel across the country to commission and troubleshoot machinery at customer sites. However, his life took an unexpected turn in January 2024 when doctors informed him that he needed to amputate part of his right leg. Despite undergoing successful surgery on March 3, 2024, Garcia faced significant challenges when his short-term disability benefits ended on April 22, 2024, and he was denied long-term disability support.
Despite these setbacks, Garcia remained committed to his role at Bystronic. He engaged in e-learning to keep his skills sharp and regularly updated his supervisor, Greg Owens, about his progress. In May 2024, Garcia expressed eagerness to return to work but was waiting for a custom prosthetic limb. When Owens inquired about Garcia’s ability to resume work on May 28, Garcia assured him that he was ready once he received his prosthetic.
However, despite providing a doctor’s note indicating no work restrictions and expressing enthusiasm about returning to work with accommodations such as using rideshare services for travel—a method he had used successfully throughout his tenure—Garcia was terminated on June 12, 2024. This decision came just days after Owens questioned the feasibility of relying on rideshare services during a call on June 11.
Garcia received his prosthetic on June 24 and quickly adapted to it. He filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on July 25, which led to receiving a right-to-sue letter from the EEOC on December 1, 2025.
The lawsuit accuses Bystronic of violating several provisions of the ADA by terminating Garcia based on his disability and failing to provide reasonable accommodations such as allowing time for prosthetic delivery or accepting rideshare transportation for ground travel. The complaint highlights how these actions have caused Garcia significant financial loss due to lost wages and benefits since termination. Additionally, it seeks damages for emotional distress and humiliation resulting from this discriminatory conduct.
Represented by attorney Oneil Jano from S.T. Legal Group based in Deerfield, Illinois, Garcia is seeking judgment against Bystronic Inc., including costs of suit and statutory penalties alongside attorneys’ fees. The case is presided over under Case ID: 1:26-cv-02226.
Source: 126cv02226_Nemencio_Garcia_v_Bystronic_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf