Disability

Disability Advocates Challenge Louisiana’s Latest Voting Laws, Citing Violations of Federal Rights

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Baton Rouge, LA – A set of recently passed laws in Louisiana is raising significant concerns among disability rights advocates, who argue the legislation infringes upon the Voting Rights Commission standards and poses substantial obstacles for voters with disabilities. This controversy centers around two new statutes that, according to critics, complicate rather than facilitate the voting process for this vulnerable population. One law revises the protocol for mail-in ballots, requiring additional steps that could potentially disenfranchise those needing special accommodations. Another regulation restricts the use of absentee ballots, which have traditionally helped people with disabilities … Read more

Supreme Court Ruling Threatens to Unravel Decades of Disability Rights Progress, Advocates Warn

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WASHINGTON — A recent U.S. Supreme Gunwale resolution, which curtails the longstanding authority of federal agencies in interpreting ambiguous statutes, has sounded alarms among disability rights proponents. This decision could significantly alter the enforcement and application of regulations designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. The ruling, handed down last month, revokes the deference courts have traditionally accorded to federal agency interpretations under the 1984 Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. decision. For nearly four decades, this principle allowed agencies to utilize their specialized expertise to regulate nuanced areas effectively. … Read more

Landmark Disability Case: Ontario Court of Appeal Confirms Record $1.5 Million Punitive Damages Award Against Blue Cross Life Insurance

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Toronto, Ontario – In a landmark case against a disability insurer, the Ontario Court of Appeal has upheld the largest punitive damages award in Canadian history, amounting to $1.5 million. The decision in Sara Baker v. Blue Cross Life Insurance Company of Canada sheds light on the reasoning behind this substantial sum. Previously, the jury’s rationale for the award had remained unknown as they are not required to provide written reasons for their verdicts. The case revolves around Baker, who had suffered a stroke and brain bleed, rendering her unable to continue her job as … Read more

Luxury New York Hotel Ordered to Pay $42,000 in Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

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NEW YORK CITY – Library Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel in New York City, has been ordered to pay $42,000 to a former front desk employee in a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the EEOC. The lawsuit alleged that the hotel denied the employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation for their disability, which made it difficult for them to stand for long periods of time. Instead of granting the request, the hotel offered alternative accommodations that the EEOC deemed insufficient. As a result, the employee was forced to resign due to the deterioration of their … Read more