After the injury: Court reiterates reasonable accommodation stance

On July 12, 2023, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey granted summary judgment in favor of an employer, dismissing a former employee’s claim of disability discrimination and failure to accommodate in violation of the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Act (WCA), the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD), and the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Law (PSLL) following an on-the-job injury.

The District Court found that the employer didn’t have a duty to accommodate an indefinite light duty or indefinite leave under the law where the only information provided was a physician note indicating the employee could not return to work.