Association Discrimination Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: Another Uphill Battle for Potential Ada Plaintiffs

74 Pages Posted: 4 Jan 2005 Last revised: 8 Apr 2015

See all articles by Lawrence D. Rosenthal

Lawrence D. Rosenthal

Northern Kentucky University - Salmon P. Chase College of Law

Abstract

This article discusses the association provision of the ADA, which gives plaintiffs a cause of action when they are discriminated against because of an association or relationship with a disabled individual. Typical plaintiffs in this situation include the spouses, caregivers and advocates for disabled patients. Although President Bush praised the ADA as a "landmark" piece of legislation, it has accomplished practically nothing to help association plaintiffs seeking relief from their employers.

In almost all association cases, plaintiffs' claims have fallen well before trial on the merits. The article discusses how various association claims under the ADA have failed, but similar claims under the FMLA and ERISA have proven at least somewhat successful. The author suggests these statutes - as well as state anti-discrimination laws - as avenues for bringing future association claims.

Suggested Citation

Rosenthal, Lawrence D., Association Discrimination Under the Americans with Disabilities Act: Another Uphill Battle for Potential Ada Plaintiffs. 22 Hofstra Labor & Employment Law Journal 132 (2004), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=640387

Lawrence D. Rosenthal (Contact Author)

Northern Kentucky University - Salmon P. Chase College of Law ( email )

Nunn Hall
Highland Heights, KY 41099
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
160
Abstract Views
2,400
Rank
334,454
PlumX Metrics