Michigan Woman Sues Bank for Firing Her After Taking Leave to Care for Dying Daughter

Terri Estepp alleges wrongful termination under the Family Medical Leave Act after 30 years of service at Huntington Bank.

Terri Estepp, a Michigan mother, claims she was fired by Huntington Bank after taking unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for her daughter, Samantha, who was battling breast cancer.
Samantha Estepp was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in April 2023 and passed away in May 2024 at the age of 31, shortly after her mother's termination.
Estepp had used all her paid leave and four weeks of FMLA leave to support her daughter during treatment, but was terminated when she requested additional leave after Samantha's condition worsened.
Huntington Bank has denied the allegations, stating Estepp's termination was unrelated to her FMLA leave and expressing condolences for her daughter's passing.
Estepp has filed a federal lawsuit seeking damages, alleging wrongful termination and claiming she was not given a specific reason for her firing despite her decades of positive performance reviews.