Job Bias Suit to Go to Trial in March

A 2-year-old job discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee against Community Memorial Hospital has been set for trial next month.

Ventura resident Lynette K. Moschetto, who worked at the hospital from 1984 to 1993 as a radiological technician, alleges in the lawsuit that the hospital fired her because she was pregnant at the time and had developed a blood-clotting disorder.

But Bob Harris, an attorney representing Community Memorial, said Moschetto was fired because she did not give a reason for not returning to work after her six-month pregnancy leave.

In her suit, Moschetto states that she was asked by her supervisor to take a full-time ultrasound technician position at the hospital in February 1993.

But after she agreed to take the position, Moschetto, who was expecting to go on pregnancy leave that summer, says she was told the job was no longer available. She charges in the lawsuit that she did not get the job because of her upcoming pregnancy leave.

After delivering the baby, Moschetto alleges she was fired from her job because she did not return to work after her pregnancy leave.

Thomas Coleman Jr., an attorney representing Moschetto, said his client did not return to work because she was told that the only job available was in radiology. Because of her disorder, Moschetto was directed by doctors not to do any heavy lifting and therefore could not take the job, Coleman said.

Moschetto again applied for a full-time ultrasound technician position, but was turned down, Coleman said. Moschetto is now employed in a similar position at Ojai Valley Community Hospital, he said.

Harris, Community Memorial’s attorney, said he believed it was inappropriate for Moschetto or her attorneys to talk to the press before the case goes to trial.

“I think this is a blatant attempt to force a settlement in a case we think is defensible,” he said.