To file a disability discrimination complaint in Ohio, you need to contact the proper legal channels. The easiest way to do this and learn more about your rights is to work with a disability discrimination attorney.
An experienced social security disability attorney who handles the discrimination case can help by contacting the proper offices and filing all the paperwork correctly. This will avoid further delays and protect you in case of a dispute.
Filing a Disability Discrimination Complaint with a Lawyer’s Help
While the following information gives you information on filing a complaint, you’ll still need to ask a lawyer to help get started. Doing so will help save time and money. A lawyer’s guidance makes the process faster and helps you understand your rights clearly.
Also, a lawyer can fill you in on the various types of discrimination and how to communicate with a company if you believe it treated you unfairly.
Contact the EEOC
Live in Ohio and find yourself the victim of disability discrimination. You and your attorney may start out by contacting the EEOC office that services the area in which you live. You may also send a letter by mail to the proper EEOC office.
Disability Rights in Ohio offers intake assistance as well. You can call (800) 292-9181 for help and choose option 2 for the intake department or fill out an intake form online.
Get in Touch with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission
You may also file a discrimination charge online, in person, by mail, or by contacting (888) 278-7101. The Ohio Civil Rights Commission offers these options for complainants.
Fill Out a Bureau of Civil Rights (BCR) Complaint Form or Phone in Your Complaint
You can fill out a Bureau of Civil Rights (BCR) Discrimination Complaint Form with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Civil Rights – available on the BCR website or at a BCR Office.
In the complaint, add your name and address, phone number, and the name and address of the party you believed discriminated against you and when, how, and why the discrimination took place.
Again, when filling out a form, it’s best to seek the guidance of a discrimination attorney, as they can help ensure that there are no questions and no further disputes.
You can file the complaint using this method or by contacting 1-866-227-6343 or (614) 644-2703. The complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination. You can receive assistance completing the form from the agency or, as noted, by receiving help from a competent discrimination attorney.
Understanding Your Rights with Respect to Workplace Discrimination
Being faced with disability discrimination in the workplace can leave you feeling confused, if not scared. Whether you’re an applicant who was refused a job or an employee treated unfairly, a disability discrimination lawyer can save you.
Disability Discrimination Laws
The first step in tackling disability discrimination is understanding the laws that protect your rights. In the US, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are the main federal laws that prohibit disability discrimination in the workplace.
A disability discrimination lawyer can explain these laws to you in detail:
- How a disability is classified under the law: A disability is a physical or mental impairment that restricts one or more daily living activities.
- The employer’s duty to provide reasonable adjustments: Employers must provide reasonable adjustments for qualified individuals with disabilities unless it lends to an undue hardship.
- The types of discrimination that are prohibited: This includes discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, job allocation, training, and other employment-related activities. Your lawyer will break down these types of discrimination, giving you examples of discriminatory practices.
Understanding the legal framework lets you decide if your situation can lead to a valid claim and what to do next.
Building a Stronger Claim
One of the ways a disability discrimination lawyer can help experience a good outcome is by walking you through the process of building a stronger case.
This includes:
- Evidence: Your lawyer will help gather relevant documents such as job applications, performance reviews, correspondence with your employer, and any medical records that support your disability.
- Witnesses: Your lawyer will work with you to identify people who can back up your story, such as colleagues or managers.
- Employer’s actions: Your lawyer will examine the employer’s decision-making process and any reasons given for its actions to determine whether they were based on illegal discrimination.
- Your legal case: Your lawyer will put together a solid legal argument that shows how the employer breached the relevant disability discrimination laws.
The Legal Process
Your lawyer will stay at your side during the entire legal process.
They will do this by:
- Filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or state agency: Your lawyer will ensure your charge is filed correctly and on time.
- Investigation and mediation: Your lawyer will represent you during the EEOC’s investigation and any mediation, negotiating to get the best possible outcome.
- Litigation: If the EEOC can’t resolve the issue, your lawyer can file a lawsuit in federal or state court and handle all aspects of the litigation.
- Appeals and settlements: Your lawyer can represent you in appeals or negotiations to get a settlement.
Disability Discrimination by Employer
Disability discrimination can take many forms. Therefore, you need to be able to spot them to address them.
Some examples of disability discrimination by an employer include:
- Not hiring or promoting qualified individuals with disabilities: Employers may make hiring and promotion decisions based on assumptions about an individual’s ability to do the job.
- Firing employees because of their disability: Employers may fire employees because of their disability, even if the employee is otherwise qualified and can do the job.
- Not providing reasonable adjustments: Employers may not provide necessary adjustments such as modified hours, assistive technology, or accessible workspaces that would allow employees with disabilities to do their work.
- Segregating or limiting opportunities for employees with disabilities: Employers may assign employees with disabilities to less desirable tasks or limit their opportunities for promotion and growth.
- Harassing or creating a hostile work environment for employees with disabilities: Employers may allow or engage in discriminatory behavior, such as derogatory comments or exclusion – behaviors that create a hostile work environment for employees with disabilities.
A disability discrimination lawyer can help identify illegal discrimination and help develop a plan to address the issue. They can also help you get the remedies you’re entitled to, such as reinstatement, back pay, and damages.
Why Work with a Disability Discrimination Lawyer
Disability discrimination can be complicated, but with a disability discrimination lawyer helping you, you can achieve better results. Use an attorney because they possess skill and experience in disability discrimination cases and can give you an objective view of your claim.
Speak to a Disability Discrimination Lawyer in Ohio Now
Disability discrimination at work is a big deal and can have major consequences for anyone affected. Don’t bypass legal help if your employer catches you in this situation. Ask for legal help now. Contact a disability discrimination lawyer today.
