California county discriminates against deaf woman?

September 10, 2009
2:24 pm

Justice Seeker

Heather L. Ryan, R.N., C.L.N.C- Heather Ryan is a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant with 15 years of experience in the health care industry. Her expertise in reviewing medical records and assisting lawyers with the determination as to whether legal action should be taken provides an invaluable asset to the newsroom. Medical-malpractice, products liability, personal injury and workers’ compensation are some of the recent areas of litigation Ms. Ryan has focused her efforts on. A member of the Florida Justice Association, Heather maintains a long list of certifications and credentials to support her areas of expertise and stays up-to-date with her clinical knowledge working as an emergency room/trauma nurse, at a Level 1, Adult/Pediatric trauma and teaching institution in South Florida.

California county discriminates against deaf woman?

Government lawyers with the Justice Department sue Ventura County for violating employment rights of deaf woman. Government attorneys charge Ventura County officials with discrimination in employment practices under the American Disabilities Act.

Government attorneys with the United States Justice Department file suit against Ventura County California claiming violations of the American Disabilities Act.

Los Angeles, CA–Government attorneys with the United States Justice Department filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court claiming Ventura County, California, officials violated the employment rights of a deaf woman under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) http://www.ada.gov. The federal agency charged Ventura County with discrimination in its employment practices after the county refused to hire a qualified applicant because she was deaf.

As reported by Reuters /PRNewswire-USNewswire/, a press release outlining the lawsuit filed by the Justice Department specifically naming Ventura County cited violations of Title I of the ADA. According to the press release, the unnamed woman applied for a children’s social services position with Ventura County, in the same capacity she was working at Los Angeles County for over eight years. She received exemplary rankings during her initial interview with Ventura County which covered standardized job related questions. When the woman reported for the second interview, which was conducted by different staff members with Ventura County, she was questioned specifically about her deafness and was not hired.

The American Disabilities Act prohibits employers from refusing to hire, train, or reasonably accommodate a qualified job applicant because they have a disability. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) www.doj.gov Office of Public Affairs, 1-202-514-1888 (TDD) was the source of the press release and suggest consumers needing more information about federal disability rights can call toll-free (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TDD), or access the website http://www.ada.gov. If you or someone you know has a disability and has been a victim of discrimination in the work place they may be entitled to compensation. Contacting a California employment law attorney may help you navigate the complexities of an employment practices discrimination claim.

California government attorneys alerts by legal news reporter Heather L. Ryan.