A recent federal lawsuit claims that a medical school failed to provide reasonable accommodations for a student with documented disabilities, resulting in academic penalties and emotional distress. The complaint was filed by Jane Doe on March 2, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
According to court documents submitted by Doe’s attorneys at Stewart Lee Karlin Law Group, P.C., the plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to discrimination based on her disability and perceived disability—specifically ADHD (Combined Presentation), a history of temporal lobe epilepsy, and migraines. The suit is brought under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as New York State and City Human Rights Laws.
The complaint details that Doe is enrolled in a doctorate program at the defendant institution and was progressing through Phase 1 of its academic curriculum when she encountered difficulties related to her disabilities. According to her neuropsychological evaluation cited in the filing, Doe exhibits strong cognitive abilities but faces challenges with executive functioning, working memory, sustained attention, and managing high cognitive loads without structured support. The assessment states: “The clinical picture that emerges from this neuropsychological assessment is that of a bright, personable woman with generally strong cognitive abilities… She demonstrated weaknesses… with attention, including distractibility, sustaining attention over time, and working memory.”
Doe claims that while she successfully completed all but one course in Phase 1 despite health flare-ups linked to her disabilities, she began experiencing academic difficulties during remediation processes for Hematology and Cardiology courses. She asserts these issues were not due to lack of aptitude or effort but rather insufficient support from the school during remediation periods. The plaintiff requested targeted remediation as an accommodation—a method previously provided by the school during her Renal remediation—which included specific feedback from faculty and structured assessments. In that instance, Doe passed within approximately one month after receiving guided support.
However, according to the complaint, similar requests for targeted remediation in Hematology and Cardiology were denied by Icahn School of Medicine administrators on grounds that such measures would constitute a “fundamental alteration” of their process. Instead, Doe reports being required to independently identify deficits and teach herself material without structured guidance or timely feedback from faculty members. She alleges having to hire outside tutors at personal expense due to lack of institutional support.
The legal filing describes how probationary actions were imposed on December 22, 2025—before all remediation outcomes were known—and while Doe’s concerns regarding ADA compliance were still being raised internally. Ultimately, after further appeals and requests for accommodation—including proposals citing federal law—the Promotions Committee decided on February 12, 2026 to require Doe to repeat eighteen months of coursework and placed her on administrative leave.
Doe’s appeal was denied by letter dated February 26, 2026. The plaintiff contends she exhausted all available internal remedies before turning to federal court.
The lawsuit sets forth multiple causes of action: violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; failure to provide reasonable modifications under Title III of the ADA; failure to engage in an interactive process as required by law; disparate treatment based on disability; violation of New York State Human Rights Law; and violation of New York City Human Rights Law. The complaint argues that “Defendant denied Plaintiff meaningful access to remediation and academic progression by failing to provide reasonable accommodations necessary,” despite prior evidence showing such accommodations were feasible.
Doe seeks various forms of relief from the court: declaratory judgment confirming violations occurred; injunctive relief requiring non-punitive corrective pathways including accommodated remediation; compensatory damages; reinstatement with full privileges; expungement of academic probation records; reimbursement for tuition paid along with related expenses; special damages covering loss of career opportunities due to not obtaining a degree; emotional distress damages; reputational harm compensation; attorneys’ fees; costs; and any other relief deemed just by the court.
Attorneys Stewart Lee Karlin and Daniel E. Dugan represent Jane Doe in this matter under case number 1:26-cv-01734.
Source: 126cv01734_Jane_Doe_v_Icahn_School_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
