Livermore Disability Discrimination Lawyer

Why Choose Us?

At Valerian Law, P.C., we bring 56 years of legal experience to every case. Our lawyers understand how challenging it can be to experience discrimination because of a disability. We can provide personalized attention to each aspect of your case, working with empathy to guide you throughout the claims process. We are dedicated to pursuing justice and fair compensation in a disability discrimination case.

What Rights Do Disabled Employees Have in Livermore?

Disabled employees have several rights that apply in a disability discrimination case. The first major right is against employment discrimination and harassment. Employees with disabilities should be treated equally in hiring, pay, promotions, demotions, and firing decisions compared to employees without disabilities.

Another right is the right to reasonable accommodations. Over half of employers make accommodations to retain valued employees with disabilities. Accommodations should be effective in helping you complete your job duties without causing undue hardship on your employer. You and your employer should engage in good-faith conversations to decide what accommodations meet your needs while also being reasonable for the employer to provide.

Accommodations often include:

• Mobility aids
• Physical modifications, such as adding wheelchair ramps or an accessible restroom
• Assistive technology, such as screen readers or speech-to-text software
• Schedule modifications, such as flexible hours or time off for medical appointments
• Work from home or a hybrid job schedule

The right to use medical leave is another right that matters for many employees with disabilities. This includes the ability to use leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and the California Family Rights Act. This right allows employees to receive necessary medical care, such as through the Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Medical Center, or take time off when they cannot work.

Common Types of Disability Discrimination We See

Of California adults with disabilities, 30% work full-time, and another 16% work part-time. Meanwhile, there were 14,430 employment complaints based on disability filed with the California Civil Rights Department in 2024. Disability discrimination can take many forms, but common examples include:

• Harassment because of an individual’s disability or use of accommodations
• Denial of reasonable accommodations
• Not hiring an applicant due to their disability
• Retaliation due to requesting or using reasonable accommodations
• Retaliation due to requesting or using medical leave

If you are being treated unfairly due to your disability, a Livermore disability discrimination attorney can file a claim on your behalf. A lawyer can personalize your claim according to your employer’s specific actions and what damages you have suffered.

Remedies in a Disability Discrimination Case

By filing a claim, you can pursue remedies that support your personal recovery while also preventing future instances of discrimination. If you hire a disability discrimination lawyer, they can calculate your damages and pursue the appropriate recovery, whether through settlement negotiations or by advocating for you in court.

Compensation is one of the main remedies you can pursue. Compensation often addresses:

• Economic damages. These are the financial losses you have suffered, such as back pay or front pay, and any other relevant expenses.
• Non-economic damages. These are your intangible losses, such as the impact on your mental health, along with your overall pain and suffering.
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages are only available in cases involving severe or willful misconduct. They are included in your compensation to punish your employer for their malicious or extremely negligent actions.

Another type of remedy is injunctive relief. This involves court orders that require your employer to take a specific action. This could mean:

• Ending discriminatory actions
• Reinstating you if you were wrongfully terminated
• Removing a specific discriminatory employee
• Requiring further training to minimize the chance of future misconduct