Learn4Life Sued After Terminating San Diego Educator During Cancer Recovery

A San Diego educator says Learn4Life fired her after she requested medical leave and accommodations tied to cancer treatment and chemotherapy-related knee damage. The lawsuit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, alleges disability discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination.

Why it matters: - The case puts California disability and medical-leave protections at the center of a dispute involving a long-time educator battling the lasting effects of cancer treatment. - The lawsuit also alleges the termination was part of a broader pattern affecting other San Diego-area Learn4Life employees who needed medical accommodations. - If the allegations are proved, the case could underscore employer obligations when a worker needs surgery, leave, or a modified schedule.

What happened: - Sharrene Stuht, a San Diego Regional Athletic Coordinator, filed suit against Learn4Life and affiliated entities in San Diego Superior Court. - Stuht says she worked for Learn4Life for 12 years and supported students across seven locations in the region. - The complaint was filed as Case No. 26CU031740C on June 10, 2026. - The defendants are Western Educational Corporation, doing business as San Diego Workforce Innovation High School and operated under the Learn4Life brand, Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation, and Educational Advancement Corporation. - Stuht alleges Learn4Life terminated her on June 2 after she said chemotherapy had caused knee damage that required reconstructive surgery. - The lawsuit alleges disability and medical condition discrimination, failure to accommodate, interference with protected medical leave, retaliation and wrongful termination.

The details: - Stuht was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2023. - She underwent chemotherapy, a double mastectomy, radiation and additional treatment while continuing to work. - When needed, Stuht worked remotely to keep performing her duties. - By early 2025, Stuht was in remission and preparing athletic programs for the upcoming year. - After reporting the need for knee surgery, Stuht asked Learn4Life to let her keep working in any capacity. - Stuht offered to accept reduced pay, move to part-time work or transfer to another open position. - The lawsuit says Learn4Life rejected those alternatives. - Learn4Life said it did not have money to keep employing Stuht and did not want to cut a teacher. - Stuht says those explanations were pretextual and that her medical condition and need for leave and accommodations drove the decision. - The complaint cites Learn4Life’s nonprofit tax filings to allege the organization brought in $451 million in government funding last year. - The complaint also alleges Learn4Life paid $328 million of taxpayer dollars to Lifelong Learning Administration Corporation. - The filing says Lifelong Learning paid millions to executives and millions more in lobbying. - Stuht is represented by Amber Eck and Cameron Holl of Haeggquist & Eck, LLP. - The full complaint is available here. - Amber Eck said Stuht spent more than a decade serving students while battling cancer, and the lawsuit will challenge the alleged denial of accommodations and leave. - Cameron Holl said the case shows the importance of California employment laws when workers need disability accommodations or medical leave.

Between the lines: - The dispute is not only about one termination. The complaint tries to frame the firing as evidence of how Learn4Life treats employees who seek medical protection. - The funding allegations appear aimed at challenging Learn4Life’s claim that it lacked the resources to keep Stuht employed. - By citing other employee terminations, the complaint suggests the plaintiffs are trying to broaden the case beyond a single personnel decision.

What's next: - The case will move forward in Superior Court of California, County of San Diego, unless the parties settle or the court dismisses some claims. - Stuht’s legal team says it is continuing to investigate potential employment-law violations by Learn4Life entities. - The firm says people with information can contact Amber Eck at (619) 342-8000 or ambere@haelaw.com.

The bottom line: - Stuht says she survived cancer treatment only to lose her job when she asked for help finishing recovery. - Learn4Life now faces claims that will test whether it handled her medical needs lawfully and fairly.