Serving Clients in Rhode Island & Massachusetts
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state anti-discrimination laws were created to eliminate barriers to employment for people with disabilities and those who are regarded as disabled. If you were discriminated against because of a disability, our Rhode Island and Massachusetts disability discrimination lawyer is here to help. Contact Herman Law Group today.
Why Do You Need a Disability Discrimination Attorney?
Being discriminated against because of anything we can’t change is abhorrent. Unfortunately, many people undergo this treatment, especially in the workplace. If you were discriminated against because of a disability, our competent Rhode Island and Massachusetts employment lawyer is prepared to fight for you.
What is Considered a Disability?
Protection against disability discrimination is available to those who meet the definition of “disabled” under the ADA. Under the ADA, a person is considered disabled if a physical or mental impairment significantly limits them from one or more “major life activities.”
A disability can be a physical impairment, a chronic condition, or a severe or long-term illness. Certain mental or emotional conditions may also be disabilities under the law, such as depression, anxiety, or attention deficit disorder.
What About Perceived Disabilities?
You do not have to be disabled to be the victim of disability discrimination. If an employer perceives you as disabled and based on that mistaken perception, has made an adverse employment decision against you, they have engaged in disability discrimination.
What Constitutes Discrimination?
If an employee has or is perceived to have a disability, the employer cannot discriminate against that employee based on the disability. Under the ADA, employers may not discriminate against otherwise qualified individuals in hiring, training, promotion, compensation, or termination. Employers are also required to make reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable Accommodations
An employer must provide reasonable accommodation for the employee so that the employee can do his or her job. This may be a physical accommodation or something as simple as a change in job schedule, depending on the situation.
Examples of reasonable accommodations may include:
- Restructuring the job
- Installing special equipment or making changes to the facilities
- Modifying the work schedule or restructuring the job (i.e., a shorter workweek, different work hours, or time off to go to medical appointments)
- Reassigning the employee
- Modifying or adjusting training materials or policies
Contact Our Experienced Disability Discrimination Lawyer
The bottom line is that if you were discriminated against in the workplace due to a protected characteristic, such as a disability, you most likely have legal recourse available. Contact Herman Law Group today to schedule your initial consultation with our experienced legal team.
Herman Law Group is based in Providence but offers its services nationwide. We help clients throughout Rhode Island, including Bristol County, Kent County, Washington County, Providence County, Warwick, & Cranston. Additionally, the firm its extends expertise in Attleboro and across the rest of Massachusetts.