Court Denies PHI Health’s Motion to Dismiss

On September 9, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona held that PHI Health must face allegations of employment discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment, filed by Plaintiff Craig Webster, on the basis of Mr. Webster’s Native American race, national origin, and ancestry.

The Court held that Mr. Webster stated discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment claims under both Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1981 (42 U.S.C. § 1981).

Mr. Webster is an enrolled member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. His claims stem, in part, from his observations of PHI Health’s demonstrated substandard care to Native American Reservations, including the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

His claims also stem, in part, from his co-worker’s repeated and pervasive discriminatory comments about Native Americans during critical care flights to Reservations.

On one occasion, Mr. Webster’s co-worker stated—in front of Mr. Webster and a PHI Health supervisor—that she wished a Reservation would burn down so she would not have to respond to medical calls from Reservations. Mr. Webster understood the comment to refer to a July 2024 Watch Fire, which destroyed homes and displaced many Native American families, including his.

Read Mr. Webster’s Complaint, filed by Stanford Law Offices, here, and read the Court’s Order here.

Stanford Law Offices is proud to represent Mr. Webster. We pursued special admission in the Arizona federal court to represent Mr. Webster. We are never afraid to pursue claims in other states, and we have practiced nationwide.

This decision should serve as a wake-up call to PHI Health. At a jury trial, we are confident we will be able to prevail on Mr. Webster’s claims.