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Articles Posted in Discrimination

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Employer Can’t Fire Employee for Mistake Caused by its Failure to Accommodate his Disability

A New Jersey court recently ruled that a jury must determine whether an employer committed disability discrimination in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”) by firing an employee for making a mistake on a day on which he had asked to be on a medical leave. Matthew…

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NJ Supreme Court Makes it Harder to Reduce Emotional Distress Damages

Yesterday, in an employment discrimination case, the New Jersey Supreme Court dramatically limited the right of courts to reduce the amount of a jury’s emotional distress damages award, ruling that courts can only do so in unusual cases. The case was filed by two brothers, Ramon and Jeffrey Cuevas.  The…

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Employee Hired When 60 Years Old Can Proceed with Age Discrimination Claim

Last month, New Jersey’s Appellate Division reversed a trial court’s ruling that had dismissed an employee’s age and disability discrimination case. Spencer Robinson worked for Armadillo Automation, Inc., also known as Onyx Valve Co., in its assembly department.  When Onyx hired Mr. Robinson, he was 60 years old.  According to…

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Treating Physician Can Testify About Employee’s Disability

Earlier this year, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that in an employment discrimination lawsuit the employee’s treating physician can offer medical opinions relating to the medical treatment without having to be designated an expert witness. Patricia Delvecchio worked for the Township of Bridgewater as a police dispatcher.  Ms. Delvecchio…

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Employers Can’t Fire Employees Based on Stereotypes About Divorce

Last week, the New Jersey Supreme Court concluded that the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (“LAD”), which includes a prohibition against marital status discrimination, not only makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against employee because they are married or single but also because they are separated, engaged, or seeking…

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Court Rejects Testimony of Undisclosed Witnesses in Religious Accommodation Lawsuit

A recent ruling by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey underscores the importance of disclosing potential witnesses to your opposing party during the discovery process of a lawsuit. The case was filed by Matthew Webster, an individual whom Dollar General hired to be its store…

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Hispanic is a “Race” Under Federal Anti-Discrimination Laws

Earlier this month, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently recognized that “Hispanic” is a race for purposes of two federal anti-discrimination laws. The case involved Police Lieutenant Christopher Barrella, a white Italian-American. Lt. Barrella works for the Village of Freeport, New York. When there was…

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Employers Need Sufficient Basis to Require Fitness for Duty Exam

A recent ruling by New Jersey’s Appellate Division demonstrates that an employer can commit disability discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) if it requires an employee to attend a psychiatric fitness for duty exam without a sufficient basis to do so. Paul Williams worked for the…

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Employee Entitled to Evidence of Employer’s Past Discrimination Based on Different Protected Categories

Recently, the New Jersey Appellate Division ruled that an employee who brought a discrimination lawsuit is entitled to obtain evidence about the facts of another employment discrimination lawsuit against one of the individuals he claims discriminated against him. The Court reached this conclusion even though the alleged discrimination in the…

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Inaccurate Job Description Foils Termination Based on Failed Fitness for Duty Exam

Earlier today, New Jersey’s Appellate Division ruled that an employee is entitled to a trial to determine whether her employer fired her because it incorrectly perceived she was unable to perform her job due to an actual or perceived disability, obesity. The case largely turns on whether the employer’s physician…

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