A former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging discrimination and wrongful termination. Luz Cabrera, the plaintiff, submitted the complaint to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 6, 2026, targeting Body Contour Center, LLC doing business as Sono Bello. The case highlights issues related to disability discrimination and retaliation under both federal and state laws.
Cabrera’s claims stem from her employment with Sono Bello as a Patient Experience Specialist from July 31, 2023, until her termination on April 8, 2025. She alleges that she was discriminated against due to her physical impairment, which limits major life activities such as lifting and carrying. Cabrera suffers from lateral epicondylitis versus C6 radiculopathy, a condition affecting her elbow and neck. Her condition was exacerbated by a work-related injury in October 2024 when she injured herself while lifting a heavy box at work. Despite being approved for workers’ compensation and notifying her employer about medical appointments necessary for managing her condition, Cabrera faced challenges in obtaining reasonable accommodations.
The complaint details how Cabrera’s manager, Tyler Anderson, scrutinized her work performance after she began attending physical therapy sessions. She received multiple write-ups for alleged infractions such as falsifying patient surveys and tardiness despite having pre-approved medical appointments. These actions culminated in her termination shortly after utilizing workers’ compensation benefits and attending medical appointments related to her disability.
Cabrera argues that Sono Bello failed to provide reasonable accommodations required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and retaliated against her for exercising rights protected by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act (IWCA). The lawsuit seeks various forms of relief including back pay, compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorney fees, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Cabrera are attorneys Nathan C. Volheim and Sophia K. Steere from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case is presided over by an unnamed judge under Case ID: 1:26-cv-01401.
Source: 126cv01401_Luz_Cabrera_v_Body_Contour_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf