Gainesville Disability Discrimination Lawyer

Fighting for Your Right to Work with Dignity and Respect

A disability should never be a barrier to your career. If you were fired, denied a job, or refused a reasonable accommodation because of a physical or mental condition, your rights have been violated. At Massey & Duffy, PLLC, Gainesville ADA attorney Michael O. Massey is a dedicated advocate for employees with disabilities, fighting to ensure you are treated with the fairness and respect you are guaranteed by law.

Is Your Employer Breaking the Law?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Florida law provide powerful protections for workers. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you based on a qualified disability.

Common Forms of Disability Discrimination:

  • Wrongful Termination: Firing you because of your disability or because they perceive you as disabled.

  • Discriminatory Hiring: Refusing to hire you for a job you are qualified to perform.

  • Demotion or Denied Promotion: Passing you over for advancement due to your medical condition.

  • Harassment: Creating a hostile work environment based on your disability.

  • Retaliation: Punishing you for requesting an accommodation or reporting discrimination.

Your Right to a Reasonable Accommodation

Your employer has a legal duty to provide a "reasonable accommodation"—a change to the work environment or job that allows you to perform your essential duties. This can include:

  • Modified work schedules or remote work options.

  • Ergonomic workstations or specialized equipment.

  • Leave for medical treatment.

  • Reassignment to a vacant position.

  • Adjustments to company policies.

An employer can only deny a request if it creates an "undue hardship," a high legal standard that we can challenge.

Fired After a Workplace Injury? We Handle Workers' Comp Retaliation

It is illegal for your employer to fire, demote, or intimidate you for filing a valid workers' compensation claim. Florida law specifically protects injured workers from this type of retaliation. If you were punished after getting hurt on the job, our firm can fight to hold your employer accountable.

The Massey & Duffy Advantage in Your Disability Case

Disability cases require a lawyer with deep legal knowledge and the skill to counter an employer's excuses. Michael Massey's elite background gives your case a powerful edge.

1. A Federal Court Insider's Perspective
As a former judicial clerk for a Chief Judge in the U.S. District Court, Michael gained firsthand insight into how federal judges analyze ADA and retaliation cases. He knows how to build a case that is structured to be persuasive from a judge's point of view.

2. Exposing an Employer's False Arguments
Employers often claim an accommodation is an "undue hardship" or that a termination was for "performance reasons." Graduating with High Honors from UF Law, Michael has the analytical skill to dismantle these pretexts by meticulously reviewing financial records, internal communications, and medical evidence.

3. Trial-Ready Advocacy that Commands Respect
We prepare every single case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation and our reputation as formidable litigators mean employers are more likely to offer a fair settlement. If they don't, we are always ready to fight for you in court.

Securing the Compensation You Need to Move Forward

We fight to recover full compensation for the financial and emotional damages caused by discrimination, including:

  • Back Pay and Benefits: The full amount of income you lost.

  • Front Pay: Compensation for future lost earnings.

  • Emotional Distress Damages: For the anxiety, stress, and humiliation you endured.

  • Punitive Damages: To punish the employer for especially reckless or malicious conduct.

  • Attorneys' Fees and Costs: We seek to make the employer pay your legal fees.

Your Disability Should Not Define Your Career

You have the right to a workplace where you are judged by your abilities, not your disability. If you believe your rights have been violated, take the first step toward justice. Contact Massey & Duffy, PLLC today for a confidential evaluation of your case.