Disability Discrimination

In Matter of Cruz v. Schriro, 2016 NY Slip Op 50363(U) (NY Sup Ct. NY Cty. March 24, 2016), the court held that the petitioner – a probationary NYC Dept. of Correction Correction Officer – sufficiently alleged that he suffered a “disability” under the NYC Human Rights Law and that the respondent failed to accommodate his disability.…

Read More Probationary Corrections Officer Sufficiently Alleges That Rikers Island-Related Hives and Allergic Reactions Constituted a “Disability” Under the NYC Human Rights Law
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In a lawsuit captioned Tomahawk v. 207-215 W 98th St. Condominium et al (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 152509/2016, filed March 23, 2016), the plaintiff – a disabled Native American and Hispanic porter at a Manhattan building – alleges that he was subjected to discrimination based on his disability and Native American heritage. From the…

Read More Disparaging Remarks About Native Americans Alleged in Manhattan Employment Discrimination Lawsuit
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In Graziadio v. Culinary Institute of America et al, 15-888-cv (2nd Cir. March 17, 2016), the Second Circuit vacated a district court’s Order granting defendants summary judgment and dismissing plaintiff’s claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Here are the facts, as summarized by the court: Plaintiff Cathleen Graziadio, an employee at the…

Read More FMLA Retaliation and Interference Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Case Continues Against HR Director as FMLA “Employer”; ADA “Associational Discrimination” Claim Properly Dismissed
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In Christiansen v. Omnicom Group Inc., 15-cv-3440 (SDNY March 9, 2016), the court dismissed discrimination claims brought by plaintiff, an HIV-positive openly-gay man. The court dismissed plaintiff’s disability discrimination and retaliation claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the NYS Human Rights Law. As to plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim, the court explained: Statements…

Read More Court Declines to Extend Title VII to Cover Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
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In Regan v. City of Geneva, 136 A.D.3d 1423, 25 N.Y.S.3d 515 (N.Y. App. Div. 4th Dept. Feb. 11, 2016), the court held that plaintiff stated a claim for disability discrimination under the NYS Human Rights Law (NY Executive Law § 290 et seq.) and the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC § 701…

Read More Police Officer’s 9/11 PTSD Psychological Disability Discrimination Claim Adequately Alleged
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In Lott v. Coreone Techs., LLC, No. 14-CV-5848 (CM), 2016 WL 462486 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 2, 2016), plaintiff asserted age discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation claims against his former employer. The court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment as to some of plaintiff’s claims (e.g., discriminatory failure to promote and discriminatory termination), but denied it as…

Read More Retaliatory Firing Claim Survives Dismissal in Light of Evidence that Reduction-in-Force Was Pretextual
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The Southern District of New York’s recent decision in Eisner v. City of New York, 15-cv-1888, provides a good overview of how courts analyze discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). It also reaffirms the principle that, absent the critical element of causation, merely…

Read More Court Dismisses Attorney’s Disability Discrimination Claims
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In Locorriere v. NBTY, Inc., No. 13CV7277, 2016 WL 625618 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 17, 2016), the court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of race/ethnicity and national origin discrimination, disability discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation, and constructive discharge. Plaintiff, a female of Mexican national origin, worked for defendant as an inspector. She alleged,…

Read More Citing Lack of Remarks or Different Treatment, Court Dismisses Mexican Woman’s Discrimination Claims
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In Echeverri v. The New York City Dept. of Sanitation, No. 15 CIV. 80 (LGS), 2016 WL 427914 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 3, 2016), the court denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s disability discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the NYC Human Rights Law.. This opinion is instructive on, among other things,…

Read More Sanitation Worker’s Disability Discrimination Claim Survives Summary Judgment
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In Telemaque v. Marriott International, No. 14 CIV. 6336 (ER), 2016 WL 406384 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 2, 2016), the court (among other things) dismissed plaintiff’s disability discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act because he failed to plausibly allege that he suffered a “disability” within the meaning of the statute. Plaintiff’s allegations, in sum: First,…

Read More Court Holds That Arthritis and High Blood Pressure Were Not “Disabilities” Under the ADA
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