Barbara Ball, a long-time employee of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has filed a lawsuit against her employer, alleging retaliation and failure to accommodate her disabilities. The complaint was lodged in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on November 26, 2025, with Frank Bisignano, Commissioner of the SSA, named as the defendant.
The lawsuit stems from a series of events that Ball claims began with her request for reasonable accommodations due to several mental health conditions including PTSD and ADHD. According to the complaint, these requests were made in 2018 and formally again in February 2019 but were not adequately addressed by the SSA. Ball’s grievances escalated when she was allegedly subjected to retaliatory actions following her filing of charges with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding these accommodation requests.
In August 2022, Ball’s situation worsened when she reported feeling unsafe working alone with a colleague due to past litigation. Despite this disclosure and an EEOC decision favoring her previous accommodation requests, Ball alleges that SSA management falsely accused her of harassment as retaliation for her complaints. By September 2022, she was sent home without necessary work supplies and had her telework accommodations revoked.
The complaint details further alleged retaliatory actions by SSA management, including involuntary relocations first to Chicago’s Lawndale office and then to North Riverside, Illinois. These moves reportedly forced Ball into a lengthy daily commute from Indiana while managing custody arrangements for her children. Despite repeated inquiries about the basis for these relocations, Ball claims she received no satisfactory explanation from SSA officials.
Ball is seeking relief through the court system under Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. She argues that SSA’s actions have caused significant financial strain due to increased commuting costs and educational expenses for her children who had to be relocated as well. The lawsuit demands compensatory damages for emotional distress and financial losses incurred due to what she describes as ongoing discrimination and retaliation.
Representing Barbara Ball is attorney Mario E. Utreras from Utreras Law Offices in Chicago. The case is identified as Case No. 1:25-cv-14521 and awaits assignment to a judge in the Northern District of Illinois.
Source: 125cv14521_Barbara_Ball_v_Frank_Bisignano_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
