Huprich Law Firm sues internet provider over disability and race claims

Huprich Law Firm filed a California employment lawsuit against Ultimate Internet Access, Inc. in San Bernardino County, alleging disability discrimination, retaliation, CFRA violations and race discrimination tied to work in Wrightwood. The complaint says the worker was fired after requesting medical leave and accommodation, and seeks damages, penalties and injunctive relief.

Why it matters: - The lawsuit adds to the growing number of California employment disputes centered on disability accommodations, protected medical leave and alleged retaliation. - The complaint also raises race discrimination claims, which could broaden the case beyond leave and termination issues. - The filing seeks damages, penalties and injunctive relief, which could create financial and operational exposure for the employer if the claims are proven.

What happened: - Huprich Law Firm filed Case No. CIVSB2619513 in the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, on June 30, 2026. - The complaint targets Ultimate Internet Access, Inc. and alleges disability discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, failure to engage in the interactive process, retaliation, CFRA interference, race discrimination, failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and California Labor Code violations. - The alleged conduct centered on the company’s Wrightwood, California location, where the employee worked as a fiber internet installer and technician. - The employee was initially hired to work out of Ontario, California, but the complaint says most of the employment relationship was based at the Wrightwood facility along California State Route 2. - The complaint says the employee was terminated about one week after taking an approved unpaid day off for medical treatment.

The details: - The complaint says the employee had an excellent performance record and was known for arriving 30 to 60 minutes early to open the office, turn on security and prepare for the day. - Company leadership allegedly praised the employee’s punctuality, dependability and commitment. - The complaint says the employee had no written discipline, no performance improvement plan and no documented performance deficiencies before the events in the lawsuit. - After a diabetes diagnosis, the complaint says management learned of the condition through direct conversations and workplace observations. - The complaint says the employer knew the employee needed ongoing medical treatment, physician visits, lab testing and dietary restrictions. - The employee allegedly gave advance notice before medical appointments and used accrued paid time off to reduce disruption to operations. - When paid time off ran out, the complaint says the employee asked for paperwork related to protected medical leave. - The complaint says the employer did not provide the requested leave paperwork and instead told the employee to seek unpaid time off through management. - Management later approved a single unpaid day off so several appointments could be handled on the same day, according to the complaint. - The complaint says the employee returned to work in Wrightwood after the leave, completed assigned work, handled service calls and worked overtime later that same week. - The lawsuit says the employee was called back to the company yard in Wrightwood and terminated without meaningful explanation, investigation, counseling or progressive discipline. - The complaint alleges the employer did not provide reasonable accommodation, did not engage in the FEHA interactive process and retaliated after requests for leave and accommodations. - The complaint also alleges the employer failed to provide requested payroll records, wage statements and personnel records required under the California Labor Code. - The complaint includes race discrimination allegations tied to a supervisor’s alleged racially offensive remarks toward African American employees while they were working. - The complaint says the same supervisor later sent an Instagram direct message containing racially offensive material after the employee’s termination. - These allegations have not been decided by the court.

Between the lines: - The case appears to combine three common employment-law flashpoints: medical leave, disability accommodation and alleged discriminatory treatment. - The timing alleged in the complaint matters. The firing came shortly after a medical leave request and an approved day off, which may shape how the retaliation claims are evaluated. - The race-related allegations could increase the stakes if the court finds a broader pattern of workplace conduct. - Joseph Huprich said California law requires employers to evaluate accommodation and leave requests in good faith and said employees should not fear retaliation for asserting those rights.

What's next: - The case will move through the civil court process unless the parties resolve it earlier. - Ultimate Internet Access, Inc. denies liability unless and until the allegations are proven in court or otherwise resolved. - The complaint seeks lost wages, employment benefits, emotional distress damages, statutory penalties, punitive damages where allowed, attorney’s fees, litigation costs and injunctive relief. - Huprich Law Firm said it represents employees across Southern California in wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, wage and break, harassment and whistleblower matters.

The bottom line: - The lawsuit puts an internet service provider on defense over alleged disability, leave and race discrimination tied to a worker’s termination in Wrightwood.