United States District Court Holds ADA Does Not Require Reasonable Accommodation of Relatives
In Sanford v. Slade’s County Stores, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 34094 (N.D. Ala., 2010), the plaintiff claimed the company discriminated against her on the basis of her son’s disability when she was informed that health insurance was available after 90 days, and also when she was discharged. The District Court recognized a claim for associational discrimination under the Americans with Disability Act but found that employers are not required to make reasonable accommodations for disabilities of relatives or associates of a non-disabled employee.
This case underscores that as more plaintiffs are able to prove they have a “disability” under the amended ADA, the focus of litigation will turn to whether employers have complied with their obligation to provide “reasonable accommodation” and equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
