Can You Get Disability Accommodations for Chronic Pain?

Laws that prevent employment discrimination on the basis of disability cover a wide variety of physical and mental health conditions which present difficulties in everyday life and for which the person requires an accommodation in order to do his or her job.  An accommodation is a modification to the work environment or work schedule that enables the employee to fulfill the essential tasks of the job.  It is not possible to get a sense of how many different types of disabilities and disability accommodations there are unless your pandemic hobby was reading court decisions in cases where the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) was involved.  Not all disabilities are permanent, and not all of them have visible signs.  If you suffer from chronic pain, you are entitled to reasonable accommodations from your employer.  A Los Angeles disability discrimination lawyer can help you exercise your right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace if you suffer from chronic pain.

What Causes Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain can have many causes.  It can be a residual symptom of a traumatic injury, or it can be due to autoimmune disease or complex regional pain syndrome.  Degenerative disc disease is a common cause of chronic back pain.

What Accommodations Are Available for Employees With Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain may be considered a disability, and employees who suffer from it are entitled to reasonable accommodations from their employers.  Because every patient and job is unique, you and your doctor must decide what kind of accommodation you need, and you and your employer must decide on an individual basis what kind of accommodation the employer can provide.  For example, you might need an ergonomic chair and a desk to fit it, or you might need more frequent breaks from standing or sitting than other employees in your role take.  You might even be entitled to work from home if your job duties can be done remotely.  Your employer might modify your work schedule so that you can attend physical therapy and frequent doctors’ appointments.

Can Your Employer Discriminate Against You If Your Doctor Has Prescribed Controlled Substances for Pain Management?

Managing chronic pain is a big job; many patients try several different treatments until they find one that works.  Sometimes a treatment that has helped you manage your pain will stop being effective and you will have to find a different one.  Although doctors do not prescribe long courses of opioid painkillers for management of chronic pain as frequently as they used to, some of them still prescribe these drugs if it is the only effective way to manage the patient’s pain.  Your employer cannot fire you for taking medications as prescribed to you by a doctor.

Speak With a Los Angeles Disability Discrimination Lawyer

A Los Angeles employment discrimination lawyer can help you protect yourself from discrimination on the basis of disability.  Contact Litigation, P.C. in Los Angeles, California to discuss your situation or call (424)284-2401.

Source:

adata.org/adann_cpp_response