California employment laws, such as the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), make specific types of discrimination unlawful, including discrimination based on an employee’s physical or mental disability, perceived disability, or association with a disabled person.  Additionally, the FEHA requires an employer to engage in the interactive process with disabled employees to determine what reasonable accommodations may be available to assist them in the performance of their job duties.
Although some employers may have concerns that disabled employees might have more challenges performing essential job duties, state and federal laws provide that disabled individuals should have employment opportunities that are equal to those of any other employee or applicant.
Californians are protected from discrimination in the following phases of an employment relationship:
If you have been the victim of discrimination at work because of an actual or perceived disability, you should consult with a seasoned San Francisco disability discrimination lawyer. At the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro, we have extensive experience representing employees in disability discrimination lawsuits in California and know the relevant laws to apply to protect your rights.
Acts of disability discrimination can happen in any type of workplace, and they might include:
State laws forbid discrimination against a disabled individual, but they also require that employers make reasonable accommodations to help disabled employees to perform their jobs. Examples of reasonable accommodations include:
If an employer denies an employee’s request for reasonable accommodation, the employee should consult with a San Francisco disability discrimination attorney to ensure the employer managed the request legally and adequately. Disabled employees are protected by law from retaliation for requesting a reasonable accommodation at work.
If you suffered discrimination in the workplace because of a disability, you may be entitled to recover damages for back pay, front pay, lost benefits, emotional distress, and even your attorney fees. You may also be entitled to receive punitive damages if you can prove that the employer engaged in a discriminatory practice with malice, oppression, or fraud.
As with all legal matters, deadlines are critical. Contact a seasoned San Francisco disability discrimination attorney at the Law Office of Jeannette A. Vaccaro today to receive a no-obligation case consultation.
Jeannette is passionate about employee rights. She fights to shed light on injustices and to help her clients move beyond troubling times. Contact Jeannette today for a free case evaluation.
Settlement achieved on behalf of an employee who was discriminated against on account of his age.
Arbitration award in race harassment and discrimination suit.
Arbitration award obtained on behalf of employee terminated on account of his national origin.
Jury verdict obtained on behalf of long-term employee in suit for unpaid wages.
Settlement for employee that was retaliated against on account of reporting discrimination.
Settlement for employee discriminated against on account of her gender and age.
Pre-litigation settlement for victim of race & national origin discrimination.
Settlement negotiated in a gender discrimination case.