FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2025
Media Contact: Chanea Davis, chdavis@wearecasa.org, 301-717-4492
Over 200 Workers May Be Eligible to Join Federal Lawsuit for Unpaid Overtime in Assisted Living and Adult Medical Day Care Business
BALTIMORE, MD – The United States District Court for the District of Maryland has granted conditional collective certification in a case filed by employees who suffered labor violations, permitting additional affected workers to join the lawsuit by September 8, 2025. The more than 200 current and former workers who worked for New Life at any time since February 12, 2022, may now be eligible to join the lawsuit and can learn more here.
Members of the national immigrant advocacy organization CASA filed a federal lawsuit against their Windsor Mill employer, New Life Healthy Living, LLC, after enduring years of egregious workplace violations, including unpaid overtime wages and dangerous work conditions. Represented by Public Justice Center and CASA, the case, Isabela Rivera Brito, et al. v. New Life Healthy Living, LLC, et al., alleges that the company failed to pay overtime to workers who regularly worked over 50 hours per week. The workers, many of whom are immigrants, are bravely standing up to demand justice and accountability.
“I will not tolerate the injustice that affects those who have come to this country seeking a better future,” said Maria, a plaintiff in the case. “The voice of our community must be heard, and I am determined to fight for meaningful change and an environment where we can all thrive.”
Timeline of Events
The complaint also reveals that New Life tried to evade wage and hour laws by issuing two separate paychecks to employees under the guise of operating two separate businesses: one for assisted living and one for adult daycare. In reality, the lawsuit argues, these were a single, integrated enterprise under the control of one individual, Alif Manejwala.
“These brave workers are sending a clear message: our community will raise our voices, stand up, and fight for our rights; no matter who is in power,” said Ama S. Frimpong, CASA Legal Director. “This is about dignity and respect for our immigrant worker community.”
“The fight for our rights and dignity is essential not just for me, but for everyone facing similar situations,” added plaintiff Isabela Rivera Brito. “We all deserve to be treated with respect and humanity.” She often worked double shifts in varied tasks like caregiving, laundry, cooking, cleaning, gardening, and maintenance. Her employer failed to pay her overtime and worse didn’t pay her final paycheck when she left the company.
Amy Gellatly, attorney at the Public Justice Center, emphasized, “We celebrate these courageous workers. Their voices shine a light on the abuses in this industry benefiting not only employees, but the vulnerable residents they care for.”
Workers who worked for New Life at any time since February 12, 2022, and are interested in joining the case, can learn more here.
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With over 173,000 lifetime members across 46 US states, CASA is a national powerhouse organization building power and improving the quality of life in working-class: Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities. CASA creates change with its powerbuilding model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members. www.wearecasa.org
The Public Justice Center pursues systemic change to build a just society. We use legal advocacy tools to pursue social justice, economic and race equity, and fundamental human rights for people who are struggling to provide for their basic needs. Our Workplace Justice Project advances justice and equity for Maryland workers by representing workers in wage theft and other litigation, providing know-your-rights education, advocating for policies to expand workers’ rights, and collaborating with community partners. To learn more, visit www.publicjustice.org.
