ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

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The Americans with Disabilities Act, New York State Human Rights Law, and New York City Human Rights Law all prohibit discrimination on the basis of a “disability”. The term “disability” is defined by the statutes in a specific way; thus a medical condition must come under the statutory definition of “disability” in order for a disability discrimination…

Read More What is a “Disability” Within the Meaning of the Anti-Discrimination Laws?
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Employment discrimination law is (for the most part) statutory, and is distributed among a variety of federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Although these statutes’ protections may overlap, they differ in terms of (e.g.) which employers are covered, administrative filing prerequisites, and damages/remedies. Below is a summary (not a complete listing or explanation) of…

Read More Which Employment Discrimination Laws Protect New York City Workers?
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One type of disability discrimination claim recognized by the anti-discrimination laws is a so-called “failure to accommodate” claim. This article is meant to give an overview of general principles applicable; it is not intended to cover all aspects of the law on this topic. In order to establish a failure to accommodate claim under the…

Read More The “Failure to Accommodate Disability” Cause of Action
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In Miller v. Kendall, No. 14-CV-393, 2016 WL 4472748 (W.D.N.Y. Aug. 25, 2016), the court held that plaintiff plausibly alleged disability discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court declined to adopt a Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation to dismiss plaintiff’s ADA claim. This decision addresses the issue of what constitutes “essential functions” of one’s…

Read More State Trooper’s ADA Disability Discrimination Claim Survives Dismissal, Notwithstanding Doctor’s Note
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In Durick v. New York City Dep’t of Educ., No. 15 CIV. 7441 (BMC), 2016 WL 4385908 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 17, 2016), the court held that plaintiff’s failure-to-accommodate-disability and constructive discharge claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act survived summary judgment. Failure to Accommodate As to plaintiff’s failure to accommodate claim, the court explained: In order…

Read More Parking Space Reasonable Accommodation (Disability) Claim Survives Summary Judgment
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In Williams v. Rosenblatt Sec. Inc., No. 14-CV-4390 (JGK), 2016 WL 4120654 (S.D.N.Y. July 22, 2016), the court held that plaintiff – a former securities strategist – plausibly alleged various discrimination claims, including a hostile work environment claim based on his perceived mental illness. The court evaluated plaintiff’s claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act,…

Read More Plaintiff Plausibly Alleges Disability Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment Based on Perceived Mental Illness
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In Felmine v. Service Star, No. 13-cv-2641, 2016 WL 4005763 (E.D.N.Y. July 25, 2016), the court granted defendants’ summary judgment motion and dismissed plaintiff’s claims for (1) quid pro quo sexual harassment, (2) hostile work environment, (3) retaliation, and (4) disability discrimination. Plaintiff – a cargo handling agent – alleged that defendant “subjected him to…

Read More Court Dismisses Sexual Harassment Claims Based on Conduct of Non-Supervisory Co-Worker
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In Francis v. Wyckoff Heights Med. Ctr., No. 13-cv-2813, 2016 WL 1273235 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 30, 2016), the court cited and applied the principles that “regular attendance at work is an essential requirement of virtually all employment” and “[t]he [Americans with Disabilities Act] does not require employers to tolerate chronic absenteeism even when attendance problems are caused…

Read More Court Rejects “Increased Sick Days” as a “Reasonable Accommodation”
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In Hinz v. Vill. of Perry, No. 15-2239-CV, 2016 WL 3435265 (2d Cir. June 20, 2016) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the judgment of the district court dismissing his claim thta he was subjected to discrimination based on his alleged disability (Chron’s disease) in violation of Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.…

Read More 2nd Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Disability Discrimination Claim; Employer Lacked Knowledge of Alleged Disability (Chron’s Disease)
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In Beaton v. Metro. Transp. Auth. New York City Transit, No. 15 CIV. 8056 (ER), 2016 WL 3387301 (S.D.N.Y. June 15, 2016), the court held that plaintiff – who suffered from schizophrenia – successfully pleaded discrimination (termination) and retaliation claims, but failed to sufficiently allege a failure-to-accommodate claim. Plaintiff’s allegations, in sum: Plaintiff alleges that…

Read More Schizophrenic Plaintiff Fired for Sleeping on the Job Plausibly Alleges Disability Discrimination and Retaliation, But Not Failure-to-Accommodate, Claims
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