Hollywood Disability Discrimination Lawyer

Hollywood Disability Discrimination Attorney

Disabled employees should work in settings where no discrimination or unjust treatment occurs. When you face job denial, harassment, or wrongful termination due to disability discrimination, you may have the right to pursue legal action. A Hollywood disability discrimination lawyer can help you.

Why Choose Us?

The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A. merges extensive experience in disability discrimination law with dedicated service to each of our clients. We recognize how daunting it is to confront an employer, and we stand ready to support you with compassion and determination. Our dedicated team can work to protect your rights while pursuing full compensation so that you can move forward in your life with confidence.

What Counts as a Disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Florida Civil Rights Act define disability as any physical or mental limitation that substantially interferes with one or more significant life functions. Major life activities comprise essential tasks such as walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, concentrating, self-care, and working.

Some disabilities are visible through physical signs like mobility impairments, while others remain hidden and include conditions such as chronic illnesses and neurological disorders. A condition that lasts for a limited period can qualify as a disability if it significantly restricts major life functions.

Your protection extends to situations where your employer perceives you as having a disability, regardless of your actual condition. The law evaluates disabilities based on their daily life impact instead of solely considering the diagnosis.

Understanding Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

Disability discrimination takes place when employers give unfavorable treatment to employees or job applicants because of physical or mental impairments. Federal legislation through the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act prohibits employment discrimination against people with disabilities. Florida’s Civil Rights Act builds upon existing worker protection measures.

In 2022, the EEOC received 2,036 cases related to disabilities in Florida. This accounted for 8.1% of disability charges in the United States and 39.2% of total state charges, showing that disability discrimination is still a prevalent issue in the workplace.

Employers must accommodate qualified disabled individuals with reasonable adjustments, except when such accommodations lead to undue hardship. Potential workplace accommodations may involve adjustments to work schedules, provision of special equipment, or physical changes to the work environment.

Employers break these laws when they refuse to provide reasonable accommodations, discipline someone unfairly because of their disability, or harass employees because of their condition.

Workers in Hollywood and the broader Broward County region have access to guidance and complaint-filing mechanisms through agencies such as the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR) and the Broward County Human Rights Section. Individuals facing workplace challenges can receive employment assistance from CareerSource Broward. Florida’s employment laws continue to evolve, with recent updates strengthening protections for workers with disabilities across the state.

Examples of Disability Discrimination

Disability discrimination can take many forms. Many times, they are not obvious or overt, so you must pay attention to signs that point to discrimination. Common examples of disability discrimination include:

• Refusing to hire a person due to their disability, especially if they were otherwise qualified.
• Firing or demoting an employee after learning of their disability.
• Denying an employee reasonable accommodations for their disability, especially without a reason.
• Engaging in or initiating ridicule, harassment, or abuse due to an employee’s disability.
• Unfairly excluding an employee from employment or other job functions through unnecessary policies.

If your workplace has become hostile or you have lost your job due to your disability, you should contact an attorney right away to pursue legal action.

Presenting Evidence in a Disability Case

Demonstrating disability discrimination can be complex and requires establishing multiple essential elements. Your initial step requires showing you meet the legal definition of a disability and demonstrating your ability to fulfill your job’s core duties with or without reasonable accommodations.

You must prove you experienced negative employment action, such as termination, demotion, or harassment, and that your disability influenced your employer’s decision.

When employers attribute negative decisions to business needs or performance problems, it becomes crucial for employees to present solid proof of discrimination. Critical evidence can include emails, performance evaluations, formal accommodation requests, and witness statements.

FAQs About Disability Discrimination Law in Hollywood,FL

Contact The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A.

If you have been discriminated against for your disability, you do not have to deal with the issue alone. The Law Office of Michelle Cohen Levy, P.A., can help you receive the justice you deserve. Contact us today for more information.