ADA Attorney in Woodland Hills

Legal Help When Disability Rights Are Ignored

If you asked for a work accommodation because of a medical condition and were ignored, punished, or even let go, you may be wondering what your rights are and who can help. The Law Office of Payab & Associates represents employees who believe they have been treated unfairly because of a disability or serious health condition.

For more than 26 years, our firm has focused on employment litigation. We help workers facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage violations. Many of these cases involve disability related issues, such as denied accommodations, forced leaves, or terminations after a diagnosis.

Our office is located in Woodland Hills, and we work with employees throughout this part of Los Angeles County. We assist clients in English and Spanish, and we guide each person through the legal process with diligence and care. If you are unsure whether what happened to you is illegal, we can review your situation and explain your options.

For experienced guidance, turn to a skilled ADA lawyer in Woodland Hills. Contact us or call (818) 918-5522 to secure a consultation.

Workplace Disability Rights Under ADA

When health problems affect your job, you should not have to choose between your livelihood and your well-being. Federal and California laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, protect many workers with physical or mental impairments.

In general, a disability can include conditions that substantially limit major life activities such as walking, seeing, concentrating, or working. It can also include chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and situations where an employer treats you as if you are disabled, even if their assumptions are wrong. You do not need to use legal language or perfectly label your condition before reaching out to us.

Employers covered by these laws are required to consider reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a change to the workplace or to how work is done that allows you to perform the essential functions of your position. Depending on the situation, this might involve schedule changes, additional breaks, equipment, modified duties, or time away from work.

• What is Reasonable Accommodation and How Does the Process Work?

California and federal law also prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on disability or perceived disability. This means an employer generally cannot refuse to hire you, demote you, cut your hours, or fire you just because of a covered condition. They also should not allow coworkers or supervisors to harass you because of your limitations or medical needs.

These protections can apply in many workplaces in and around Woodland Hills, from offices and schools to warehouses and medical facilities. The details of each case matter, including the size of the employer and the type of job. Our attorneys can help you understand how these rules may apply to your specific circumstances and your workplace.

Common Disability Discrimination At Work

Disability discrimination is not always obvious. Sometimes it looks like comments or jokes. In other cases, it appears as a pattern of denials, sudden performance criticism, or schedule changes that make it harder to keep your job. When we talk with employees in the area, we often hear similar stories about how mistreatment began and escalated.

One frequent scenario involves an employee who has performed well for years, then discloses a new diagnosis or requests a modest accommodation. Instead of engaging in an honest discussion, the employer brushes off the request, insists that no changes are possible, or claims they do not have to follow disability laws. Soon after, the employee may see discipline, reduced hours, or termination.

Harassment can also play a role. Co-workers or supervisors may make remarks about someone being “too slow,” “too emotional,” or “always sick.” Over time, this behavior can create a hostile work environment. Retaliation, such as poor evaluations or unwanted transfers after a complaint, can follow when an employee pushes back or raises concerns.

Examples of conduct that may require advice from a disability act attorney in Woodland Hills include:

• Repeatedly denying time off for medical appointments after you disclose a serious condition
• Refusing simple schedule or duty changes, even when they would not seriously disrupt operations
• Issuing sudden performance write-ups shortly after you request an accommodation
• Terminating you soon after a medical leave, or right after you share medical documentation
• Comments or jokes about your symptoms, mobility aids, mental health, or treatment

Every situation is different, and not every unfair action is illegal. The pattern and timing of events are important. Our attorneys review the full picture, including your job history, communications with your employer, and any policy documents, to help determine whether disability laws may have been violated.

How Our ADA Compliance Attorney Can Help

When you contact our firm, we start by listening. During an initial conversation, we talk about your job, your health-related needs, and what has happened at work. We review documents you may have, such as emails, evaluations, accommodation requests, and policy handbooks, so we can understand the context.

Our team has spent 26 years handling employment litigation for workers. This includes discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and wage disputes that often intersect with disability issues. That background allows us to spot patterns in how employers respond to accommodation requests and complaints, which can be important in ADA and disability cases.

An ADA attorney in Woodland Hills can evaluate how the laws may apply to your situation. We look at the size of the employer, the nature of your job duties, and the accommodations you requested or needed. We also examine the reasons your employer gave for its decisions and whether those reasons appear consistent with your work history and company practices.

If we believe you may have a viable claim, we discuss potential paths with you. Depending on the facts, this may involve internal complaints, administrative charges, or litigation in courts that serve this part of Los Angeles County, such as branches of the Los Angeles Superior Court. The exact approach can vary based on timing, evidence, and your goals.

Throughout the process, our goal is to guide you carefully and keep you informed. We strive to explain each step in clear language and to answer your questions promptly. Our attorneys work with clients who speak English or Spanish, and we understand that many workers balancing health issues and job stress need practical, understandable advice, not legal jargon.

What To Do If Your Rights Are Violated

If you suspect disability discrimination or unlawful treatment, taking a few careful steps can help protect your position and your potential legal claims. You do not have to do everything perfectly, and you do not need to confront your employer alone. However, written records and timely action can be important.

First, try to document as much as you reasonably can. Keep copies of emails to and from supervisors or human resources, notes from meetings about your performance, and any written accommodation requests. It can also help to keep a simple timeline of key events, such as when you disclosed your condition, when you asked for changes, and when any discipline occurred.

If your workplace has policies on leave, accommodations, or complaints, you may want to review them. Some employees choose to make internal complaints to human resources or management. Others contact an ADA compliance attorney before taking that step, especially if they are unsure how their employer will respond or they already feel targeted.

A short checklist can help you get ready to speak with a lawyer:

• Gather offer letters, contracts, handbooks, and key workplace policies
• Save emails or messages about your health, accommodations, or performance
• Write down dates of major events, including requests, denials, and discipline
• Note names and roles of people involved in decisions about your job

When you are ready, you can contact our firm to discuss what happened. We review the information you have, ask questions about your work environment, and explain possible next steps under federal and California law. Even if you are still employed and worried about retaliation, we can talk about your concerns confidentially.

Connect with an experienced disability act attorney in Woodland Hills without delay. Submit an online form to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my condition is a disability?

A condition may be considered a disability if it substantially limits major life activities or if your employer treats you as if it does. You do not need to decide this alone. Our attorneys can review your situation and help you understand how the law may view your condition.

Can my employer fire me for requesting accommodations?

Firing someone simply for requesting a reasonable accommodation can violate disability and anti-retaliation laws. Employers can still make job decisions for legitimate reasons, but timing and explanations matter. We can look at your record, the reasons given, and the sequence of events to assess possible retaliation.

What will happen during my first meeting with your firm?

During an initial consultation, we listen to your story, ask questions about your job, and review key documents you bring. We then discuss how ADA and California laws might apply and outline possible options. Our goal is to give you clear information so you can decide how to move forward.

How do you charge for ADA and disability cases?

Fee arrangements can depend on the type and stage of a case. During your first discussion with us, we explain how fees and costs typically work for employment matters and answer any questions you have. Our goal is to be clear, so you understand the financial aspects before you decide.

How long do I have to act on a disability claim?

Deadlines for disability-related claims are controlled by federal and California law, and they can be shorter than many people expect. The specific time limits depend on the type of claim and the agency or court involved. Speaking with an attorney as soon as possible helps protect your ability to pursue your rights.

Talk With Our Team Today

If you are facing unfair treatment at work because of a disability or serious health condition, you do not have to go through it alone. The law provides important protections, and speaking with an ADA lawyer in Woodland Hills can help you understand how those protections may apply to your situation.

For more than 26 years, The Law Office of Payab & Associates has represented employees in discrimination, harassment, and retaliation matters. We work to treat every client with respect and to provide clear, careful guidance. Whether you are still employed or have already been let go, we can review what happened and discuss your options under California and federal law.

We assist workers who live or work in Woodland Hills and surrounding communities, and we are available to speak with you confidentially. Taking action sooner can help preserve evidence and give you a clearer picture of your choices.

To talk with our ADA attorney in Woodland Hills about your situation, call (818) 918-5522 today.