Lowe’s has agreed to pay $8.6 million to settle claims brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging that the home improvement retailer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by firing employees who a took medical leaves that extended beyond the company’s maximum leave policy. Per the agreement, Lowe’s will also be required to hire consultants to review and manage its leave of absence policies and employee accommodation requests.
According to the EEOC, the settlement is a strong indication that the practice of routinely firing disabled employees whose absences reach or exceed an employer’s limit may be illegal. The EEOC has also announced that any employee who was fired by Lowe’s between January 1, 2004 and May 13, 2010 after taking maximum medical leave is entitled to pursue a wrongful termination claim.
If your employer violated the ADA by firing you for taking a medical leave of absence, you may have grounds to file a wrongful termination lawsuit against them. Philadelphia employment lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. will review your case at no charge to determine your best course of legal action. Call 215-569-1999, or contact us online for your free consultation.
