Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement aimed at all employees and employers in light of recent news coverage surrounding a Pennsylvania woman suing her employers for not providing a clean, non-bathroom space for pumping breast milk.

NBC News, USA Today and other national media outlets have been reporting on the story of new mother Bobbi Bockoras, who after returning to work at Port Allegany, PA, glass factory after giving birth, planned to pump breast milk during breaks so she could continue nursing her infant daughter.

As part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all US companies with 50 or more employees are mandated to provide a clean, private, non-bathroom space. Bockoras alleges that her company did not follow the law, telling her to pump in the bathroom. After complaining, Bockoras says she agreed to use a locker room but says it was covered in dirt and dead bugs and lacked air conditioning. She also says many of her coworkers also harassed her for pumping milk on the job.

Shegerian states that while all the facts are still yet to be revealed regarding the case, it's a cautionary tale about the treatment of breastfeeding women, regardless.

"There's an important lesson to be learned here and that is that all women, nationwide have a right to pump breast milk at their places of work," said Shegerian. "Perhaps more importantly, it is crucial that women who are denied this right take a stand, speak up and go public as Ms. Bockoras has done. We expect there will be many more cases like this one nationwide as employees begin to learn about their rights as breastfeeding mothers. This is just the cusp of a burgeoning trend of new mothers refusing to be discriminated against or harassed at work because they have chosen to breastfeed their babies."

An experienced trial attorney and Trial Lawyer of the Year Award winner for 2013, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. His remarkable success rate is highlighted by over 67 jury trial wins, including 27 seven figure verdicts representing employees.

Located Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators (Carney Shegerian, Trial Lawyer of the Year Award winner for 2013, has won over 67 jury trials in his career, including 27 seven figure verdicts), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com, or to learn more about Carney Shegerian specifically, visit http://carneyshegerian.com/

MediaLine Communications
Paul Williams, 310-569-0023
paul@medialinecommunications.com