Gregory S. Schaer, a Monmouth County based New Jersey Employment Attorney located in Manalapan, represented the employee in a lawsuit against their employer alleging claims of handicap discrimination.
A Superior Court jury awarded a $2.25 million to a disabled police dispatcher who successfully sued the Borough of Matawan for discrimination.
According to court papers, Holden suffered from a condition known as transverse myelitis which left him a paraplegic who uses a wheelchair. Holden injured his knee in 1986 when he fell going down steps in the station to shred paper, according to Holden’s lawsuit.
After certain renovations were made, the Police Department was less handicap-accessible requiring Holden to use stairs to get the squad room where police reports were written and where the police department keeps a television and video cassette recorder to view training tapes. According to the lawsuit, Holden was forced to drag himself up the stairs in order to gain access to the offices.
In January 1997, Holden broke his leg while trying to exit the Police Station with his wheelchair over steps leading to the parking lot. To enter the building, Holden must use a step which has no ramp or handle for support according to the lawsuit.
On one occasion, Holden was ordered to the squad room and was lifted by another Officer in his wheelchair who slipped and fell on top of Holden causing him injuries. After that incident, Holden was not promoted to a hirer paying supervisory position that he had been promised. Instead, the position was posted in the squad room, where Holden couldn’t go and given to someone else.
To speak with an experienced New Jersey Employment Law Attorney, contact the Law Offices of Gregory S. Schaer, LLC, conveniently located in Monmouth County, New Jersey.