A former licensed practical nurse claims she has faced ongoing retaliation and discrimination from multiple healthcare employers and their insurance carrier after raising concerns about workplace practices and pursuing legal remedies. According to a complaint filed by Tonnesha Kidd in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey on March 3, 2026, the defendants include Preferred Care at Mercer, Royal Health Gate Nursing (doing business as Royal Imperials), Broadway Healthcare, Chubb Insurance Group, as well as unnamed individuals and corporations.
The filing outlines that Kidd initiated this action against the named defendants after experiencing what she describes as persistent unlawful employment discrimination in violation of state and federal laws. The complaint states that all alleged violations occurred in New Jersey workplaces where Kidd was employed as a nurse.
Kidd reports that her employment history with the defendants began in April 2007 when she was hired by Royal Health Gate Nursing as an LPN. She went on disability leave in September 2010 due to a fractured fibula but was denied light duty upon her return in January 2011. Despite being cleared by her doctor to return without restrictions in June 2012, Kidd alleges that she was not reinstated. According to the complaint, management informed her that her non-reinstatement was due to her having filed wage and disability claims against the employer.
The lawsuit asserts violations of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-12), the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kidd contends that she faced reprisal for engaging in protected activities such as filing complaints about discrimination based on disability.
After filing charges with both the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in July 2012 for discrimination based on disability and retaliation, Kidd pursued further civil rights litigation over subsequent years. The document lists multiple lawsuits filed between July 2018 and May 2020 against various defendants for retaliation, hostile work environment, fraudulent concealment of evidence, and related claims.
Kidd also describes employment with Preferred Care at Mercer beginning July 11, 2016. After fracturing her thumb later that year, she requested reasonable accommodation from management but alleges these requests were ignored despite medical documentation supporting them. She states she was suspended indefinitely one day before completing probation in October 2016 and ultimately terminated without notice.
According to the complaint, both Preferred Care at Mercer and Royal Health Gate Nursing shared Chubb Insurance Group as their insurance carrier during these disputes. Kidd notes that mediation led to settlement agreements with both employers around March 2023 but alleges continued harassment even after these settlements were reached.
The lawsuit details allegations of post-employment retaliation since March 2022 involving contact with prospective employers to damage Kidd’s reputation or interfere with job opportunities. The complaint accuses defendants’ agents of orchestrating negative references or fabricating poor work performance reports to prospective employers—including specific mention of Mind Your Mind LLC—and interfering with business dealings or personal matters such as housing applications.
Kidd further claims ongoing threats or harassment have extended beyond herself to family members or friends who support her. She asserts these actions are part of a pattern intended to punish her for pursuing legal remedies regarding workplace discrimination.
One section alleges a connection between this alleged campaign of retaliation and personal tragedy: Kidd claims that three days after attending a court status meeting regarding settlement terms on March 1, 2022—with attorneys representing both main defendant companies—her children’s father died from fentanyl exposure under circumstances she attributes indirectly or directly to actions by defendants or their associates.
The suit brings causes of action under Section 1981 (prohibiting race-based employment discrimination) and Section 12203 (retaliation provisions). It states: “Defendants…have violated Section 1981 by subjecting Plaintiff to retaliation for her protected complaints…by contacting…all subsequent employers…to harass her.”
Kidd seeks permanent injunctive relief barring further retaliatory acts; reinstatement or front pay; compensation for lost income; damages for emotional distress; punitive damages; payment for job search costs; other equitable relief deemed necessary; and a jury trial.
Tonnesha Kidd is representing herself pro se in this matter under case number 3:26-cv-02241-GC-TJB.
Source: 326cv02241_Kidd_v_Preferred_Care_at_Mercer_Complaint_District_New_Jersey.pdf
