How Disability Discrimination Can Lead to Wrongful Termination Claims
Being fired from your job is always stressful, but it can be especially devastating when your termination is tied to a medical condition or disability. Both federal and Maryland laws protect employees with disabilities from discrimination and unfair treatment in the workplace. Unfortunately, many employers still make decisions—intentionally or not—that violate those protections.
The wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland often handle cases where employees are dismissed after disclosing a disability, requesting accommodations, or taking medical leave. Understanding your rights and recognizing the signs of disability-related discrimination can help you protect yourself if you believe your firing was unlawful.
What the Law Says About Disability Rights
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act (FEPA) make it illegal for employers to discriminate against qualified employees because of a physical or mental disability. This includes hiring, pay, promotions, job assignments—and termination.
Under these laws, an employee is considered to have a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as walking, seeing, hearing, or concentrating. Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations that allow an employee to perform their job, as long as it doesn’t cause undue hardship to the business.
When an employer fails to meet those obligations—or worse, punishes an employee for asserting their rights—it can amount to wrongful termination.
How Disability Discrimination Leads to Wrongful Termination
There are many ways discrimination can occur, and not all of them are obvious. Here are some of the most common situations that lead to wrongful termination claims in Maryland:
1. Firing After Disclosure of a Disability
An employee might tell their supervisor about a diagnosis—such as diabetes, depression, or multiple sclerosis—only to be treated differently afterward. Sometimes, performance reviews suddenly turn negative or job duties are reassigned. In some cases, the employee is fired soon after disclosing their condition.
If the timing of your termination closely follows the disclosure of a disability, that could be evidence of discrimination. Employers cannot legally fire you simply because you have a medical condition or they believe you might need accommodations.
2. Retaliation for Requesting Accommodations
Employees have the right to ask for reasonable accommodations—like flexible schedules, assistive technology, or medical leave—without fear of retaliation. Unfortunately, some employers respond negatively to these requests.
For example, an employee might be fired after asking for a modified schedule to attend medical treatments or for equipment to help them perform their duties. That kind of retaliation violates both federal and state laws. The wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland often see cases where employers try to disguise these actions as “performance issues” or “restructuring.”
3. Firing After Taking Medical Leave
Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Maryland’s leave laws, eligible employees can take time off to manage serious health conditions or care for family members. If an employer terminates someone for taking or requesting medical leave, it could be both retaliation and wrongful termination.
Sometimes, employers claim that an employee was let go for “job abandonment” or “attendance issues” while they were on approved medical leave. These excuses can often be challenged with proper legal help.
4. Refusing to Engage in the Interactive Process
When an employee requests an accommodation, employers are supposed to engage in what’s called the interactive process—a dialogue to find a workable solution. If an employer refuses to discuss options or automatically fires an employee instead of exploring accommodations, that’s likely a violation of the ADA.
For instance, an employer who terminates a worker for missing time due to treatment—without considering a schedule adjustment—may have violated disability rights laws.
Recognizing Subtle Signs of Disability Discrimination
Not every case of wrongful termination involves blatant discrimination. Some signs are subtle but just as serious:
- Your employer makes negative comments about your health or medical appointments.
- You’re excluded from meetings or opportunities after disclosing a disability.
- You’re given unrealistic workloads or goals that set you up to fail.
- The timing of your termination follows a request for leave or accommodations.
- Your employer uses vague or shifting explanations for your firing.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s important to document everything—emails, conversations, medical paperwork, and performance evaluations—and contact the wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland to discuss your options.
What to Do If You Believe You Were Wrongfully Terminated
If you think your employer fired you because of your disability or medical condition, here are key steps to take:
- Document Everything: Keep records of your communications, job performance, and requests for accommodations.
- Get a Copy of Your File: Request your personnel file and any company policies related to disability or leave.
- Do Not Sign Away Your Rights: Don’t sign severance or settlement agreements without talking to a lawyer first.
- Consult an Employment Attorney: The wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland can review your case, explain your rights, and guide you through filing a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or state agencies.
Final Thoughts
Being fired because of a disability or medical condition is not only unfair—it’s illegal. Maryland and federal laws exist to ensure employees are judged on their ability to work, not on their health challenges. If your employer terminated you after learning about your disability, denied reasonable accommodations, or retaliated against you for asserting your rights, you may have a valid wrongful termination claim.
The wrongful termination lawyers in Maryland are here to help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and take action to hold your employer accountable. You deserve fair treatment, dignity, and a workplace that respects your abilities—not one that punishes you for them.