JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida woman claims University of Florida Health discriminated against her due to her race and retaliated against her.
Plaintiff Kandace R. Carson filed her lawsuit against defendant University of Florida Board of Trustees, doing business as UF Health, in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division.
In her 18-page complaint, Carson contends UF Health violated the federal Civil Rights Act and the Florida Civil Rights Act.
“During her employment, Plaintiff was subjected to racially derogatory comments directed toward Black employees, including comments invoking racially stereotypical depictions of Black women,” she wrote in the complaint.
“Plaintiff reasonably perceived these comments as demeaning, humiliating, and based upon race.”
Carson, who is Black, began working as a certified pharmacy technician at UF Health in September 2025.
On Dec. 12, 2025, she claims she entered a workplace restroom while two coworkers were engaged in conversation.
“During that conversation, Plaintiff overheard remarks concerning Black female employees within the department,” the lawsuit states. “Specifically, one coworker referred to certain Black women employed by Defendant as ‘the Gross Sisters.’”
Carson claims she understood the reference to be directed toward Black coworkers and interpreted it as invoking “racially stereotypical portrayals of Black women from popular culture.”
On Jan. 7, 2026, Carson reported the incident to a coworker, who encouraged her to bring the matter to management’s attention.
After she reported the discriminatory conduct through UF Health’s internal complaint procedures, she claims the defendant failed to take “prompt and effective remedial action.”
Carson alleges UF Health failed to keep her from the individuals “whose conduct formed the basis of her complaint,” causing her to experience significant emotional distress, anxiety and psychological injury requiring medical treatment and counseling.
She also alleges that following her complaints, she was subjected to “retaliatory intimidation.”
She claims she and other employees were discouraged from cooperating with UF Health’s own internal investigation.
“Shortly after Defendant initiated its investigation, Plaintiff alleges that one of the coworkers involved in the December 12 incident made a statement to the effect of: ‘Don’t be a snitch. You know snitches get stitches,’” the complaint states.
Carson seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, medical expenses, pre- and post-judgment interest, and attorney fees.
Levin Litigation PLLC in Hollywood, Florida, is representing her in the lawsuit.
