Hull: Lawyers with disabilities: Who ‘looks like me’?
In a guest column, retired lawyer Kent Hull reflects on his experience as a lawyer with a disability.
Disabilities
Articles
FHCCI reaches $500K settlement over fair housing and ADA violations
The entities who designed, built, owned and managed 14 apartment complexes across central and northern Indiana have agreed to make improvements to the residential properties and pay more than $500,000 to settle a complaint filed by the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana over alleged violations of federal accessibility requirements.
HUD charges Bloomington apartment company with disability discrimination
The complaint alleges Burnham Rentals violated the Fair Housing Act by refusing to permit an Indiana University graduate student with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to live with a cat that ameliorated her symptoms.
7th Circuit upholds denial of disability benefits despite ‘several medical problems’
An administrative law judge did not err in finding that a woman was not entitled to disability benefits despite having “several medical problems,” the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held Wednesday.
Health provider loses Medicaid appeal seeking OTC medicine reimbursement
A company that operates health care facilities for people with mental disabilities has lost an appeal of judgments saying it was not entitled to reimbursement from the state’s Medicaid program for the costs of over-the-counter medication.
Adolay: Accommodating employees who can’t return due to COVID-19
There’s a new question facing employers in this stage of the pandemic: What if our employees refuse to return to work?
ALJ’s denial of disability benefits over potential side effects upheld
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed an administrative law judge’s decision that a northern Indiana woman is not disabled, finding that any conclusions about her medication’s side effects would be pure speculation.
Mom who didn’t witness daughter’s sexual abuse can’t recover emotional damages, COA affirms
The mother of a child with severe mental and physical disabilities cannot recover emotional distress damages from the school where her child was sexually abused because the mother did not witness the abuse, the Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed. However, the mother’s claim for economic damages can proceed.
Denial of disability benefits upheld at 7th Circuit
Despite one doctor’s opinion that she was disabled, a woman who was denied disability benefits failed to win her case at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Appellate courts to hear med-mal, disability cases next week
Indiana’s appellate courts are set to hear arguments next week in a case related to medical malpractice and one dealing with disability issues arising under Kentucky law.
Rule change redefines service animals, bars those for emotional support
A new rule introduced by the U.S. Department of Transportation in December has revised the Air Carrier Access Act, redefining what constitutes a service animal on airplanes.
COA commitment for woman with anorexia seen as rare
In a move not typically seen, the Indiana Court of Appeals extended a Hoosier woman’s temporary involuntary commitment solely based on an eating disorder that doctors said was causing her severe malnutrition.
Longtime anchor Morehead sues WTHR, claims harassment, discrimination
Longtime WTHR-TV Channel 13 news anchor Andrea Morehead claimed in a lawsuit filed last week that she was harassed and mistreated by colleagues and managers over several years as she waged a public battle with breast cancer.
Disability benefits denial again remanded after ALJ issues ‘inconsistent’ ruling
A woman twice denied disability benefits despite evidence of serious mental disabilities causing limitations on her ability to work will get a third chance to make her case for benefits.
Southern Indiana school settles disability investigation over restraints
A school system based in Princeton that was investigated after a complaint that it used seclusion and restraints on students with disabilities has settled with the United States Department of Justice.
Blind voters claim Indiana absentee voting system is discriminatory
A group of blind Hoosiers and their advocates have filed a lawsuit against Indiana, claiming the state’s absentee voting scheme that forces them to “permit virtual strangers to fill out their ballots” violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Hammond loses motion to dismiss after counsel makes misleading representation
An employment discrimination lawsuit against the city of Hammond will proceed after a federal court denied a motion to dismiss, finding counsel for the city had made misleading representations about her knowledge of the plaintiff’s hospitalization for a stroke.
Casino wins appeal against injured worker awarded $76K
An injured Chinese national awarded more than $76,000 in disability discrimination damages lost those winnings Wednesday as the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed in favor of the southern Indiana casino that had employed her.
Judge: Memory-impaired man’s suit claiming Carmel City Hall assault may proceed in part
A man who has difficulty forming new memories and therefore records his interactions on video may proceed with a lawsuit on narrowed claims alleging he was injured after a confrontation with a city attorney in Carmel City Hall as the man recorded his interactions with staff.
3 sentenced in Vanderburgh Co. for roles in death of a disabled woman
A southwestern Indiana woman, her daughter and husband were sentenced Monday for their roles in the death of a disabled Virginia woman whose body was found buried beneath a garage.