Los Angeles Disability Discrimination Lawyer

Disability Discrimination · Los Angeles Employment Law

Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman, P.C.

(877) 619-8966

Disability Discrimination Lawyer Serving Los Angeles Workers

Disability discrimination is the single most common category of discrimination charge filed with the EEOC nationally, and California’s protections under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) are among the strongest in the country. California defines disability broadly, covers smaller employers than federal law, and requires employers to engage in a genuine interactive process before denying an accommodation.

The Law Offices of Todd M. Friedman handle disability discrimination cases for Los Angeles workers who were denied reasonable accommodations, demoted, or terminated because of a physical or mental disability.

How California Defines Disability

The ADA requires that a condition “substantially limit” a major life activity. California’s FEHA sets a lower bar: the condition needs only to “limit” a major life activity. Courts have interpreted this to cover a wide range of conditions that would not qualify under the ADA.

Category	Examples
Physical disabilities	Cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, heart conditions, back injuries, hearing or vision impairment, neurological conditions
Mental disabilities	Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD
Medical conditions	Cancer (any stage), genetic characteristics associated with cancer risk
Pregnancy-related	Gestational diabetes, severe morning sickness, postpartum conditions

Common Reasonable Accommodations

Modified work schedule or reduced hours
Leave beyond what CFRA or FMLA requires
Reassignment to a vacant position
Modified job duties (not elimination of essential functions)
Remote work or telecommuting
Assistive technology or equipment
Breaks for medication or medical procedures

The employer’s obligation is to find an accommodation that works, not simply to deny the first request. California requires employers to engage in a “timely, good faith interactive process.” Failing to engage in the interactive process is itself a separate FEHA violation.

EEOC Disability Charge Data

Fiscal Year	Disability Charges (National)	% of All Charges
FY 2021	22,843	36.4%
FY 2022	22,308	36.5%
FY 2023	22,843	33.9%

Source: EEOC Charge Statistics FY 2023

If your employer refused to provide accommodation and then fired you for attendance or performance issues that stemmed from your disability, you likely have both a failure-to-accommodate and a wrongful termination claim. If you requested leave under CFRA or FMLA and your employer retaliated, see our page on FMLA/CFRA retaliation. Disability and pregnancy discrimination frequently overlap.