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ESSEX COUNTY

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION LAWYER

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DISABILITY

LIVING WITH A MEDICAL DISABILITY

If you are living with a medical disability, you should not have the added burden of dealing with employment discrimination. In New Jersey, individuals with disabilities have the right to be employed and seek employment without facing discriminatory actions. If you or a family member was a victim of workplace discrimination due to a mental or physical disability or impairment, you should consult with an experienced Essex County disability discrimination lawyer today.

Workplace discrimination attorney Usmaan Sleemi has extensive experience dealing with employment law issues involving disability. The Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi understands how difficult it can be to cope with a hostile working environment simply because you have a disability. To schedule a free consultation about a disability discrimination case, call (973) 453-4060, or contact the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi online.

NJ EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION LAWS

New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The LAD uses a broad definition when determining whether an individual has a disability. A disability can be physical, like an infirmity, congenital disability, disfigurement (including those caused by an injury), and even a chronic illness. New Jersey also defines a disability as a mental affliction that affects a person’s ability to perform certain physical or mental functions.

The LAD does not only prohibit discrimination for disabilities that you currently have, but also:

  • A disability that another person thinks you have
  • A disability that you previously had, or another person believes you previously had
  • A disability that you may suffer from in the future

As mentioned above, an individual’s disability cannot be used to determine their eligibility for employment. As long as you meet the qualifications for the position and you can complete all the job’s functions, your disability may not be used against you. Additionally, you cannot be denied access to apprenticeships and training programs solely because of your disability.

Under the LAD, if you have a disability, an employer must provide you with any reasonable accommodations necessary to apply, interview, and complete any examinations needed for the position. However, if the employer can show that these accommodations would cause them “undue hardship” they are not obligated to provide them for a disabled applicant. Undue hardship can include financial or other reasons, such as being unable to install an elevator in a building.

If you apply for a job, the employer cannot ask you to receive a medical examination until they offer you a position at their company. However, if the position requires every applicant to receive a medical examination, then it is not disability discrimination. To prove that you were discriminated against, an employer must single you out from a group of applicants because of your disability.

There are certain circumstances where an employer may have a legitimate claim that you cannot perform the essential functions needed for the position you applied for. For example, if you cannot drive but apply for a position that requires a significant amount of driving, an employer can claim you do not meet the requirements for the position.

Once you are hired, several situations can trigger a disability discrimination case. These situations may include the following:

  • Your employer giving you unwanted job assignments because of your disability
  • Your employer using your disability to discharge you from your position or include you in company layoffs
  • Your employer making, or allowing your coworkers to make, derogatory statements regarding your disability

The LAD will generally apply even if a disability arises after you have started working. If you wish to know more about New Jersey’s workplace discrimination laws, you should speak with an experienced New Jersey disability discrimination attorney as soon as possible.

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SUING FOR WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION DUE TO DISABILITY

If you wish to file a disability discrimination lawsuit against an employer, you should act quickly. You must file a discrimination lawsuit with New Jersey’s Superior Court no later than two years after the discriminatory act occurred. If you file your case later than two years after the incident, you risk the possibility of the court barring your claim.

There are several legal remedies that a victim of discrimination can receive if they prevail in their case:

  • Being awarded the position they were denied (including back pay and interest)
  • Being awarded damages for pain, humiliation, and emotional trauma
  • Receiving any employee benefits that an employer withheld because of their disability

In addition, the LAD protects individuals who report disability discrimination on the part of an employer or coworker. This means that an employer cannot seek to retaliate against you or anyone that helped you file a claim of disability discrimination.

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ESSEX COUNTY, NJ DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ATTORNEY FOR EMPLOYEES

If you or a family member was a victim of disability discrimination at work in New Jersey, you should consult with an experienced Essex County disability discrimination attorney. The Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi is proud to fight for hardworking individuals who have been discriminated against on the job or while applying. To schedule a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi at (973) 453-4060, or contact us online.

CONTACT US

Law Offices of Usmaan Sleemi LLC.

New Jersey Office:

66 NJ-17 #500,

Paramus, New Jersey 07652

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