Greenway v. Buffalo Hilton Hotel

**Greenway v. Buffalo Hilton Hotel: A Major Win for Workers with Disabilities** This case involved an employee who was wrongfully fired from the Buffalo Hilton Hotel due to disability discrimination. The worker, Greenway, claimed the hotel violated both federal disability laws (the Americans with Disabilities Act) and New York state anti-discrimination laws when they terminated his employment because of his disability. The court sided completely with Greenway. A jury found the Buffalo Hilton Hotel guilty of disability discrimination and wrongful termination. They awarded Greenway $1,439,000 in damages, which included compensation for lost wages, future health insurance costs, future medication expenses, and additional punitive damages meant to punish the hotel for their illegal conduct. The court also ordered the hotel to pay part of Greenway's attorney fees and pre-judgment interest on the award. This ruling matters significantly for workers because it demonstrates that employees with disabilities have strong legal protections. Employers cannot simply fire workers because of their disabilities, and when they do, the financial consequences can be severe. The substantial damages awarded here send a clear message that disability discrimination will be met with serious penalties, encouraging employers to follow the law and treat disabled workers fairly.