Celiac.com 10/11/2017 - A Merrill Lynch broker in Denver has sued the firm in federal court, claiming that its systemic "sabotage" of his relationship with clients during and following two medical leaves have cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In a case filed this summer in federal court in Colorado, Kirk Kringel, a broker with Merrill since 2010, alleges that the company violated his rights under the Family Medical Leave Act by retaliating against him for taking the two medical leaves, including one that was related to celiac disease.
A seasoned broker, Mr. Kringel worked previously with Morgan Stanley and Dean Witter for nearly 15 years before joining Merrill Lynch. According to the complaint, colleagues and managers at Merrill "systematically interfered with and...

Celiac.com 03/15/2022 - A lawsuit filed in Missouri accuses food retailer Frickenschmidt Foods of mislabeling products as gluten-free, when they actually contain gluten. The suit accuses Frickenschmidt of labeling its Wicked Cutz Teriyaki Beef Stick as gluten-free, despite the fact that, according to plaintiff Oluwakemi Adewol, the product does contain gluten.
The plaintiff seeks declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief, including punitive damages and “restitution and disgorgement,” herself and “all others similarly situated," on behalf of three separate classes of product purchasers:  a “Multi-State Consumer Class” that includes California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts,  Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Washington; a specific ...

Celiac.com 06/15/2024 - In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of online job applications that include questions about disability status. At least 50% of these applications now inquire whether applicants have a disability, with celiac disease often listed as a potential disability. This trend raises important questions about the nature of celiac disease and whether it should be classified as a disability on a job application. While recognizing the challenges faced by individuals with celiac disease, it is crucial to critically examine whether it fits the standard definition of a disability, especially considering that adherence to a gluten-free diet typically leads to a symptom-free state.
Understanding Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune...

Celiac.com 09/05/2024 - Navigating food sensitivities can be challenging, especially in social settings. A recent incident highlights the complexities faced by individuals with specific dietary needs. This summary explores a situation where a woman, newly diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, refused to share her gluten-free meal with a pregnant friend during a group breakfast outing, leading to accusations of selfishness.
Discovering the Sensitivity
The woman had been experiencing unexplained nausea and indigestion for years. Upon discovering that she was sensitive to gluten, she completely eliminated it from her diet, significantly improving her health. This dietary change required her to be vigilant about the foods she consumed, as even small traces of gluten could cause adverse...