Disability Discrimination Attorney in Birmingham
Fighting for the Rights of Disabled Individuals
Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and, in some cases, employers barely make an effort to provide these accommodations or, worse, choose to discharge employees who have requested reasonable accommodations for a qualifying disability. If you have a disability that requires certain accommodations to perform the essential functions of your job, remember that the law is on your side. At Wrady Michel & King, our Birmingham team of employment discrimination attorneys have a track record of success in advocating for victims of disability discrimination. If you have a disability, and believe you were discriminated against because of it, we will fight on your behalf to ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Call our law firm today at (205) 265-1880 to get started on your case!
Your Employer’s Duty to You
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA) and other federal and state statutes, employers are required to make a reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability that is covered by the ADA. If you one or more of the following apply, you may be protected under the ADA and the ADAAA:
- A physical or mental impairment that significantly limits one or more major life activities
- A record of such an impairment
- You are regarded as having this type of impairment
What constitutes a disability according to the ADA and the ADAAA is comprised of two parts:
- A physical or mental impairment
- The impairment limits your major life activities
Some examples of physical and mental impairments that are protected under the ADA include:
- Depression
- Paralysis
- Asthma
- Cancer
- Hearing and speech impairments
- Thyroid gland disorders
- Diabetes
- Cerebral palsy
To accommodate an employee’s disability, an employer must sit down with him or her one-on-one to identify what is needed to assist the employee in performing all essential functions of the job. If your employer neglects to perform this crucial step, it may have violated the law.
How the ADA Protects You
Under the ADA, disabled individuals are guaranteed equal opportunities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, state and local government services, and telecommunications. When it comes to the workplace, reasonable accommodations can come in many forms, such as modifications or adjustments to a job’s requirements, the work environment, or another aspect of the job that will enable a qualified, disabled individual to perform the work. Some examples of accommodations that an employer can reasonably make include adjusting the starting time, making work facilities more accessible, modifying equipment, or providing audio amplification devices to those who have a hearing disability.
However, employers are not required to make accommodations that would be too expensive, or if the employee has a medical condition that could potentially pose a serious risk to someone else in the workplace or to himself or herself.
Obtain the Assistance of a Fierce Legal Advocate Today
If you believe you were discriminated against due to your disability, or that your employer failed to reasonably accommodate your disability, you might be entitled to compensation for lost benefits, wages, and emotional pain and suffering. In some cases, employers might even be required to pay punitive damages. At Wrady Michel & King, our Birmingham employment discrimination team of attorneys has over 15 years of combined experience representing employees. Our team has the experience and knowledge that is necessary to protect your rights as an employee. We will dedicate ourselves to helping you throughout this process, and work tirelessly to recover damages you may have suffered at the hands of your employer.
Learn more about how we can help you and call our office today at (205) 265-1880 to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable member of our team.