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The Ninth Circuit reversed the dismissal of the plaintiffs' ADA and Section 504 disability discrimination claims but affirmed the dismissal of their First Amendment and negligence claims, remanding the disability claims for further proceedings.
School Employee Wins Right to Continue Disability Discrimination Case
James Chadam, an employee of the Palo Alto Unified School District, sued his employer claiming they discriminated against him because of his disability and failed to provide reasonable accommodations he needed to do his job. The school district initially got the case dismissed by a lower court.
However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals partially reversed that decision in November 2016. The appeals court ruled that Chadam could continue pursuing his disability discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The court sent these claims back to the lower court for further review. However, the appeals court upheld the dismissal of Chadam's other claims related to free speech violations and negligence.
What this means for workers: This ruling reinforces that employees with disabilities have strong legal protections in the workplace. If you believe your employer discriminated against you because of a disability or failed to provide reasonable accommodations, you may have valid legal claims even if a court initially dismisses your case. The appeals process can be an important avenue for protecting your rights, and disability discrimination laws provide meaningful protection for workers.
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