Disability Discrimination Attorney in Illinois

Protecting Your Rights When Health & Work Collide

When a medical condition affects your job, you should be able to rely on fair treatment and reasonable support at work. If you are suddenly denied accommodations, written up for absences related to treatment, or pushed out after disclosing a condition, you may be facing unlawful disability discrimination. Speaking with a disability discrimination attorney in Illinois can help you understand what is happening and what your options may be.

At Workplace Law Partners, we focus our practice on employment law, including discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage issues, and complex workplace disputes. Since 2015, employees across the Chicago area and throughout the state have turned to our team when health, job security, and dignity were on the line. We listen carefully, explain the law in plain language, and work to develop a path that fits your situation.

We offer free case reviews, so you can talk with our disability discrimination attorneys in Illinois about what you are experiencing without any financial obligation. Our goal is to give you clear information and steady guidance, whether you decide to move forward with a claim now or simply want to understand your rights.

Why Illinois Workers Turn To Our Firm

Choosing a firm to help with a disability related employment problem is a serious decision. You need lawyers who understand both the legal framework and the personal realities of balancing work with a medical condition. Our practice has been rooted in Illinois employment law for years, and our disability discrimination attorneys bring over a century of combined experience to each case.

Principal attorney David Fish has been recognized as a Super Lawyer each year from 2018 through 2025. He holds a preeminent Martindale Hubbell rating, has been named among Crain's Chicago Business Notable Leaders in Employment & Labor Law, and teaches employment law as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law. He also serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, which reflects the trust placed in his judgment on employment disputes.

Our litigation work includes individual and class action matters against major employers. For example, we secured an overtime settlement in a case involving more than 500 Dyson Direct employees, which required careful handling of complex facts, high stakes, and a large group of workers. That type of experience helps us evaluate disability discrimination cases that may involve corporate policies, systemic issues, or patterns of unfair treatment.

Clients throughout Chicago and across Illinois often mention our responsiveness and patient approach. They describe how our disability discrimination attorneys responded quickly to questions and helped them feel calmer in difficult moments. We strive to provide the same level of attentiveness in disability discrimination matters, taking time to understand your health needs, work history, and goals before recommending any course of action.

We also bring a strong commitment to access to justice. Our firm received the Illinois State Bar Association's John McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award in 2021 for volunteer work through Prairie State Legal Services, which supported low-income and elderly clients. That recognition reflects our belief that every worker deserves a fair chance to be heard, including those dealing with disabilities or serious health conditions.

To schedule a free case review with our disability discrimination attorneys in Illinois, reach out online or call (312) 818-2407.

What Disability Discrimination Looks Like At Work

Many workers are unsure whether what they are experiencing is unlawful discrimination or just unfair treatment. Under federal law and the Illinois Human Rights Act, employers generally must avoid discrimination against qualified employees with disabilities and must consider reasonable accommodations that allow them to perform their jobs. A disability can include physical impairments, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, pregnancy-related complications, and the lasting effects of injuries.

Disability discrimination can show up in subtle or obvious ways. Some employees are denied simple schedule changes that would allow them to attend medical appointments. Others are refused assistive devices or changes to job duties that would not significantly burden the employer. Some people face comments or harassment about their condition, or are treated as less capable, even when they can do the job with reasonable changes.

Problems also arise when discipline or job loss closely follows a disclosure or request for help. A worker might have a strong record, disclose a diagnosis to a supervisor, then suddenly receive poor evaluations, lose key responsibilities, or be terminated. In other situations, an employer may pressure someone to return from leave sooner than medically recommended, or retaliate after an employee usesjob-protectedd leave under laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Not every disagreement about accommodations amounts to unlawful conduct. Employers are not required to grant every request, and they may raise legitimate concerns about cost or feasibility. The law generally expects both sides to engage in an honest discussion about what changes might work. Questions about what is reasonable and what creates an undue hardship are often highly fact-specific. Our Illinois disability discrimination attorneys can review the details of your position, the requested adjustments, and the employer's response to help evaluate whether the situation may fit within disability discrimination protections.

Because these cases overlap with other areas of employment law, such as retaliation, wage issues, and wrongful termination, it can be difficult to sort out your rights on your own. Our disability discrimination lawyers in Illinois regularly handle these intersecting issues for Illinois workers, and we work to explain how the different laws might apply in clear, straightforward terms.

Steps To Take If You Suspect Discrimination

When you are managing a health condition, trying to address problems at work can feel overwhelming. Taking a few concrete steps can help protect your position and make it easier for a disability discrimination attorney to evaluate your situation later. You do not need to do everything perfectly. Small actions can make a real difference.

Consider taking these practical steps if you think you are facing disability discrimination:

• Write down key events, including dates, people involved, what was said, and how decisions were explained.
• Keep copies of relevant emails, performance reviews, accommodation requests, doctor notes provided to your employer, and policy documents.
• Make accommodation requests in writing when possible, and describe how the requested change would help you perform essential job duties.
• Be cautious about signing severance agreements or waivers without legal advice, since these documents can affect your ability to bring future claims.
• Note any changes in treatment after you disclose a condition or take leave, including new discipline or loss of hours.

Many claims under Illinois and federal law have strict filing deadlines with agencies such as the Illinois Department of Human Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These timelines can be complex, especially when there are related issues like retaliation or wage disputes. Speaking with a disability discrimination lawyer in Illinois early can help you avoid missing important deadlines and allow us to guide you on how best to document what is happening.

During a free case review, we take time to hear your concerns, review key documents when available, and talk through potential next steps. Some clients want to explore internal solutions first. Others are ready to consider filing a charge or claim. We work to match our guidance to your comfort level and health needs.

How Our Illinois Employment Lawyers Help

When you contact our firm, the first step is a conversation. We ask you to describe your job, your condition as you are comfortable sharing it, what you requested from your employer, and how the company responded. We also discuss any discipline, pay changes, or termination that may have occurred, along with your goals for the future.

After listening, our Illinois disability discrimination attorneys review the facts through the lens of Illinois and federal employment laws. Because our practice covers discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, whistleblower claims, wage and hour disputes, and severance issues, we can often identify several possible paths. We explain those options in clear language, discuss potential risks and benefits, and work with you to decide which approach fits your health, finances, and career plans.

Our strategies are not one size fits all. For some Illinois workers, it may make sense to focus on securing a fair severance package or negotiating changes that allow them to stay in their role. For others, especially where conduct has been severe or termination has already occurred, filing a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights or the EEOC may be appropriate. In still other situations, litigation in state or federal court may be considered. We discuss these options with you rather than pushing a single path.

Our team has spent years practicing in the Chicago metropolitan area and across the state. That experience includes handling cases in local courts and working with agencies that oversee workplace discrimination matters, such as the Illinois Department of Human Rights and the EEOC Chicago District Office. Understanding how employers in this region typically respond to accommodation requests, internal complaints, and administrative charges helps us anticipate potential challenges and plan accordingly.

Beyond our case work, we stay engaged with the employment law community. Teaching employment law at Northern Illinois University College of Law, serving as an American Arbitration Association arbitrator, and participating in organizations such as the National Employment Lawyers Association, help keep our attorneys current on developments in disability and workplace law. We use this knowledge to inform the advice we give and the strategies we suggest for your case.

Throughout the process, our focus remains on communication. Clients have described how our disability discrimination lawyers responded promptly to questions and helped them feel more at ease during a stressful time. We strive to provide clear updates, explain what to expect at each stage, and make sure you do not feel left in the dark about your own matter.

Illinois Disability Laws & Local Process

Disability discrimination claims for workers in this state can involve several different laws and agencies. Many cases draw on both federal protections and the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits disability discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals in covered workplaces. Employees often start by filing a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In the Chicago area, the EEOC Chicago District Office and the Illinois Department of Human Rights both handle charges involving Illinois employers. Which route makes the most sense can depend on the facts of your situation, the size of your employer, and the type of relief you may seek. Our Illinois disability discrimination attorneys regularly guide clients through these options, help prepare charges, and track agency deadlines when we are engaged to do so.

Disability matters often intersect with other laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act for medical leave, workers' compensation rules for job-related injuries, and state or federal retaliation protections. For example, a worker might request accommodations, take approved leave, and then face termination soon after returning. Each step may implicate different legal standards and procedures. We work to connect these pieces so that you understand the full picture.

Some cases eventually move from the agency process into court. Depending on the path chosen and the claims asserted, this may involve Illinois state courts or federal courts that serve our region. Because Workplace Law Partners has handled employment disputes across Cook County and other parts of Illinois, we are familiar with how these systems generally function.

The key point for many employees is timing. Waiting too long to seek legal guidance can limit available options. We encourage workers who suspect disability discrimination or retaliation to reach out for a free case review, so they can better understand the processes that might apply before important deadlines pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my situation is disability discrimination?

There is no simple test, but a good starting point is asking whether your medical condition affected how you were treated at work. If you were denied reasonable support, singled out, or punished after disclosing a condition or requesting help, our disability discrimination attorneys can review the facts and compare them to Illinois and federal laws.

Can I be fired for asking for accommodations or medical leave?

Employers generally are not allowed to fire you because you requested reasonable accommodations or used protected medical leave rights. They may still make business decisions for legitimate reasons, so timing alone is not always enough. Our team can look at the full context and help assess whether retaliation may be involved.

What happens during a free case review with your firm?

During a free case review, we listen to your story, ask questions about your job and health-related needs, and review key documents when available. We then explain how disability and employment laws may apply and outline potential options. You decide how to proceed. There is no obligation to file a claim.

Do I have a case if my employer offered some help, but not what I asked for?

Employers are generally required to consider reasonable accommodations, but they do not have to grant every specific request. If an employer proposes an alternative that still allows you to perform essential duties, it may satisfy the law. We can evaluate whether the offered solution appears reasonable under Illinois and federal standards.

How much does it cost to hire a disability discrimination lawyer?

We offer free case reviews so you can learn about your options without paying for the initial consultation. If we move forward with representation, fees and costs depend on the nature of the matter and are discussed with you in advance. Our goal is to make legal help accessible and transparent.

Talk With Our Team About Your Situation

If you believe your employer has treated you unfairly because of a medical condition, you do not have to sort through the law on your own. Speaking with a disability discrimination attorney in Illinois can help you understand whether what you are facing may be unlawful and what steps you might take to protect your job, income, and health.

At Workplace Law Partners, we review disability, accommodation, and retaliation concerns for workers across the Chicago metropolitan area and throughout the state. We bring extensive employment law experience, recognized professional credentials, and a client-centered approach that emphasizes listening and clear communication. Your case review is free, and you can decide what to do next after you have more information.

Ready to schedule a free case review with our disability discrimination attorneys in Illinois? Reach out online or call (312) 818-2407.