KANSAS CITY — A Missouri woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Crown Services Staffing Inc. and C.K.S. Packaging Inc., alleging she was subjected to disability discrimination, retaliation, negligence and workers' compensation retaliation after suffering an on-the-job injury while working as a temporary employee.
Karlee Ellis filed the complaint on July 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
The lawsuit asserts claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), Missouri's workers' compensation retaliation statute and a negligence claim.
According to the complaint, Ellis was hired on May 13, 2025, by Crown Services Staffing as a temporary employee and assigned to work at C.K.S. Packaging as a second-shift packer beginning May 20, 2025.
Her duties included inspecting, sorting and packing products for shipment. The lawsuit alleges that throughout her employment, she was qualified for the position and performed her job satisfactorily.
The complaint states that on Aug. 13, 2025, Ellis suffered a workplace injury while pulling a flatbed cart, which allegedly struck the back of her right ankle, causing immediate pain.
She sought medical treatment the same day and was placed on restrictions requiring 50% seated duty and the use of a medical boot.
Ellis alleges she provided documentation of those restrictions to both Crown and C.K.S. Packaging and returned to work the following day.
Although C.K.S. initially provided her with a chair, the lawsuit claims the defendants failed to consistently honor her physician's restrictions or engage in the interactive process required under the ADA to ensure reasonable accommodations were implemented.
According to the complaint, Ellis was observed walking without her medical boot and was required to stand for extended periods despite her doctor's orders.
She alleges that her foot became swollen as a result, causing her to miss work on Aug. 15, 2025.
After receiving additional medical treatment on Aug. 18, she was again restricted to a combination of seated and standing or walking duties, but the lawsuit contends those limitations were still not consistently accommodated.
The lawsuit states that on Aug. 25, 2025, Crown informed Ellis that her assignment at C.K.S. Packaging had been terminated at the client's request.
Ellis alleges the decision came the same day her physicians cleared her to return to work without restrictions, which she characterizes in the complaint as suspicious timing. She alleges the defendants waited until she was medically cleared before ending her assignment.
Following the termination, Ellis claims Crown maintained she remained an active employee eligible for reassignment.
However, the lawsuit alleges the staffing company made no genuine effort to place her in another position despite repeated inquiries.
According to the complaint, Ellis was told no positions were available within her limitations, and after her restrictions were lifted, she still was not contacted about alternative job opportunities.
She alleges the lack of reassignment deprived her of employment, income and benefits.
The complaint also disputes what Ellis describes as the defendants' explanation for ending her assignment.
According to the lawsuit, Crown asserted attendance issues were responsible for her removal from the C.K.S. assignment.
Ellis alleges she had only two attendance points, while company policy required three attendance-related incidents within 30 days before discipline would be imposed.
She contends the attendance explanation was a pretext for discrimination and retaliation.
Ellis further alleges that because of the injury and her requests for workplace accommodations, she was constructively discharged and subjected to unlawful discrimination based on disability.
She claims the defendants failed to make good-faith efforts to accommodate her restrictions, failed to provide modified duties consistent with her medical limitations and failed to seek alternative employment opportunities after her assignment ended.
Ellis seeks compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 on each count, along with attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems appropriate. She is represented by Lauren Perkins Allens of Lauren Allen LLC.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri case number: 4:26-cv-00600
