Suffern, NY asked in Employment Law for New York

Q: Can one be fired for missing a lot of work due to a documented medical issue?

My friend started a Job about 7 months ago and has missed a lot of time due to documented medical issues. He has been medically cleared to return to work but is having post op complications and is afraid he will be fired if he misses any more work.

Is it legal for an employer to fire someone in this situation?

Thank you,

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Jimmy M. Santos
Jimmy M. Santos
Answered
  • Cornwall, NY
  • Licensed in New York

A: Your friend needs to consult with an employment and labor law practitioner. It is possible that he might be protected if his documented medical issues qualify as a "disability" under the American With Disabilities Act, the NYS Human Rights Law and/or the NYC Human Rights Law (if his employment is in NYC). He also may have protections under the NYS Paid Family Leave Act from retaliatory discharge.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.