Horn Wright, LLP, Files Lawsuit Alleging FMLA Violations Against New York State Amid Corrections Officer Strike

Horn Wright, LLP, a leading employment law and civil rights law firm, announced today that it has filed a lawsuit in the New York State Court of Claims on behalf of a corrections employee alleging violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by the state of New York. The lawsuit, Timothy Navarra v. The State of New York emerges amid ongoing labor unrest and a prolonged strike by corrections officers throughout New York.

The lawsuit, filed today, alleges the state of New York unlawfully interfered with protected leave rights of the Plaintiff, a corrections worker employed at a New York correctional facility. It states further the Plaintiff experienced retaliation and unlawful interference as a result of being on federally protected leave under the FMLA, including threats of unwarranted disciplinary actions, harassment, and thereafter his employment was terminated along with his medical insurance coverage, exacerbated by staffing pressures stemming from the ongoing strike.

"Our client, who has dedicated years of service, faced blatant retaliation for simply asserting their federally guaranteed rights under the FMLA," stated Ron F. Wright, Esq., a Partner at Horn Wright representing the plaintiff along with co-counsel Ryan Woodworth, Esq. "FMLA protections are clear and mandatory, not optional conveniences to be disregarded during staffing shortages or labor disputes, and especially not to terminate an employee."

The Family and Medical Leave Act ensures eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for specific family and medical reasons, including personal or family illness and caregiving obligations. The law explicitly prohibits employers from retaliating or discriminating against employees for requesting or taking protected leave.

This lawsuit comes at a critical time, as New York State corrections officers remain on strike, voicing concerns over wages, staffing shortages, and unsafe working conditions across correctional facilities statewide. The strike has significantly impacted operational stability within the Department of Corrections, placing additional burdens on non-striking personnel and escalating workplace tensions.

Horn Wright, LLP, encourages any other corrections employees who believe their rights under FMLA have been violated during this ongoing strike or similar circumstances to seek legal guidance promptly.

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