Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — Workplace Rights for Pennsylvania and New Jersey Employees
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. It requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations and prohibits adverse employment actions based on disability. If your employer denied an accommodation, fired you because of a medical condition, or harassed you because of a disability, the ADA protects your rights.
Who Is Protected
The ADA protects individuals with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, individuals with a record of such impairment, and individuals who are regarded as having such an impairment. After the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, courts interpret “disability” broadly, covering most chronic conditions, mental health disorders, and episodic impairments. You are also protected during the accommodation request process even if the ultimate determination is that your condition does not meet the ADA’s definition.
Reasonable Accommodation Requirement
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations that enable qualified employees with disabilities to perform essential job functions unless the accommodation would cause undue hardship. The interactive process requires good-faith dialogue between employer and employee to identify effective accommodations.
How the ADA Intersects With Other Laws
The ADA frequently overlaps with the FMLA (leave as an accommodation), the PHRA (broader state protections), and workers’ compensation laws. An employment lawyer handling disability claims evaluates all overlapping protections to maximize your recovery.
Filing Deadlines
EEOC charge: 300 days. PHRC complaint: 180 days (300 with cross-filing). PHRA direct court filing: 2 years. NJLAD direct court filing: 2 years.
The Lacy Employment Law Firm represents employees in ADA and disability discrimination claims across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey. Call (215) 515-5924 for a free consultation.
