In a striking legal move, an employee has taken her former employer to court over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lenny Krygier filed a complaint against Saia, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on January 21, 2026. The lawsuit accuses Saia, Inc. of retaliatory practices following Krygier’s medical leave and disability accommodations.
The case revolves around allegations that Saia, Inc., a business operating in Georgia, discriminated against Krygier due to her anxiety and depression—conditions known to her employer—and further retaliated when she took FMLA leave for a work-related injury. Hired by Saia in March 2010 and promoted to Project Coordinator by 2018, Krygier claims that her mental health conditions significantly impacted her daily life activities. Her troubles escalated after a workplace accident in February 2025 left her with a fractured arm while still recovering from an earlier hip fracture. Following these incidents, she availed herself of FMLA leave starting February 26, 2025.
Upon returning from leave on April 21, 2025, Krygier was placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP) for alleged misconduct dating back to January 2025—a period well before her FMLA leave began. This action raised suspicions as no prior disciplinary actions or warnings were issued during the six weeks leading up to her leave. In response to what she perceived as retaliation for taking disability-related leave, Krygier filed complaints with Human Resources and requested additional FMLA leave, which was granted.
Despite assurances of follow-up meetings regarding the PIP upon her return on May 28, no such meetings occurred until July when she sought mental health leave due to escalating anxiety and depression. Shortly thereafter, on July 18, Krygier was terminated under claims related to the initial PIP issues and allegedly deleting data from an internal system—claims she disputes as unfounded.
Krygier’s complaint asserts that Saia’s actions were pretextual and discriminatory under both ADA and FMLA statutes. She seeks various forms of relief including general damages for emotional distress, liquidated damages for lost wages and benefits, punitive damages for reckless indifference to federally protected rights, attorney fees, declaratory relief affirming statutory violations by Saia Inc., injunctive relief possibly including reinstatement or front pay in lieu thereof.
Represented by attorneys V. Severin Roberts and Patrick Reid from The Workers’ Firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, Krygier aims to hold Saia accountable through this legal battle presided over by Judge TWT-JKL under Case ID: 1:26-cv-00367-TWT-JKL.
Source: 126cv00367_Lenny_Krygier_v_Saia_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia..pdf
