EEOC Files Disability Discrimination Suit Against Womble Carlyle, North Carolina Law Firm

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a disability discrimination suit against the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP.  The suit alleges that the firm refused to accommodate Charlesetta Jennings and discharged her for a lymphatic condition.

The suit alleged that Jennings developed lymphedema - a physical impairment caused by cancer treatment - which limits a person’s circulatory system.  This condition made it difficult for Jennings to lift heavy items in the office.  When Jennings provided the firm with a doctor’s note stating she was unable to life more than 10 pounds, and later provided a follow up note stating she could lift up to 20 pounds, Womble Carlyle told her that she could not work there until her doctor withdrew the lifting restriction.  Womble Carlyle placed her on disability leave on February 10, 2011 and fired her on August 9, 2011. 

Womble Carlyle’s alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  The ADA protects employees from disability discrimination and requires that employers provide disabled employees with reasonable accommodations.  The EEOC, in its suit, seeks back pay, compensatory damages, and punitive damages, on behalf of Jennings, and injunctive relief.

The Employment Law Group® law firm has an extensive discrimination practice and has broad experience fighting for the rights of employees who have been victims of discrimination and retaliation by their employers.