CARATOZZOLO v. GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Case Summary: Caratozzolo v. Gloucester Township Public Schools

What Happened

An employee filed a lawsuit against Gloucester Township Public Schools and union defendants, claiming disability discrimination and arguing the school failed to provide necessary workplace accommodations as required by federal disability law.

What the Court Decided

The court dismissed the case. The judge ruled that the employee hadn't completed required preliminary steps before filing the lawsuit. Specifically, the employee had filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) but didn't name the union in that complaint. The court also dismissed additional state law claims related to a breach of contract, though it allowed the possibility of refiling those claims later.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case highlights an important procedural requirement: before suing over disability discrimination, workers must file a complaint with the appropriate government agency and include all relevant parties. If you believe you've faced discrimination or been denied workplace accommodations due to a disability, follow proper procedures carefully. Failing to do so can result in your case being dismissed, even if the underlying claims have merit.