Costanzo Law Firm Files Lawsuit Against Kaiser Permanente for Age Discrimination and Retaliation
Case alleges Kaiser failed to establish protocols, training, and vendor support, then scapegoated senior nurse after decades of service
San Jose, CA – August 19, 2025 – Costanzo Law Firm, APC has filed a lawsuit in Santa Clara County Superior Court on behalf of longtime nurse Felicidad Tran against The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., doing business as Kaiser Permanente, alleging unlawful age discrimination and retaliation under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).
The lawsuit alleges that Kaiser failed to establish proper protocols, training, and oversight in its Dermatology Department’s patch testing program. Despite widespread knowledge among management that expired allergens were being used and that vendor delays left clinics without essential supplies, Kaiser did not implement clear procedures or secure reliable vendors to ensure patient safety.
Rather than address these systemic deficiencies, the complaint asserts that Kaiser deflected responsibility by terminating Ms. Tran—the oldest and most senior nurse in the program—while younger colleagues with comparable involvement received lesser discipline. The lawsuit contends that this decision was motivated by Ms. Tran’s age and her repeated protected complaints about patient safety and compliance issues.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorneys’ fees, for violations of FEHA’s protections against age-based discrimination and retaliation.
“Kaiser’s failure to provide adequate training, oversight, and vendor support put staff and patients in an untenable position,” said attorney Lori J. Costanzo of Costanzo Law Firm. “Instead of fixing these long-standing systemic problems, Kaiser chose to scapegoat a dedicated nurse who had given nearly three decades of service.”
The case is Tran v. The Permanente Medical Group, Inc., et al., filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
Media Contact:
Costanzo Law Firm, APC
111 West Saint John Street, #700
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-993-8493
