Sight Partners settles with Alana Curatola

In 2024, a Washington state optometric physician represented by Bloom Law PLLC filed suit against Sight Partners Physicians P.C., the private equity-backed operator of Northwest Eye Surgeons’ seven offices and four outpatient surgical centers, alleging gender and pregnancy discrimination and unlawful retaliation.

According to the lawsuit, Dr. Alana Curatola joined Northwest Eye Surgeons in 2017 and spent five years earning consistently positive performance reviews. That changed after Sight Partners acquired the practice and shifted its focus toward profitability, pressuring physicians to increase patient loads and imposing a new compensation structure, per the lawsuit. Dr. Curatola was among the physicians who pushed back, advocating for fair pay and working conditions, according to the lawsuit.

On her first day back from unpaid maternity leave, Dr. Curatola was called into a meeting under the pretense of discussing a salary issue – and fired. The termination letter stated she was let go “without cause.” When staff were informed, management volunteered that the decision had nothing to do with her maternity leave – a denial that raised more questions than it answered, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleged the firing was a direct result of Dr. Curatola’s pregnancy, her request for postpartum accommodations, and her advocacy for improved physician compensation – conduct protected under state and federal law.

According to Bloom Law PLLC, the settlement reflects the serious nature of the claims and signals Bloom Law PLLC will continue to stand up for families and women across Washington.