Roosevelt Care Centers Settle ADA Lawsuit with U.S. Attorney's Office

Long-Time Employee's Unlawful Termination Leads to $50,000 Settlement and ADA Compliance Training

MORRISTOWN, NJ – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a proposed settlement with Roosevelt Care Centers (RCC) regarding a lawsuit for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced the consent decree today, which is pending court approval.

The lawsuit, filed on March 20, 2023, alleged that RCC unlawfully terminated a dietary worker who had a disability restricting her ability to lift objects over 20 pounds. Despite her 18-year tenure and ability to perform essential job functions, RCC terminated her without seeking any reasonable accommodation, as mandated by the ADA.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger emphasized the importance of this settlement, stating, "Qualified individuals with disabilities must be given an equal opportunity to be part of the workforce."

The terms of the consent decree require RCC to compensate the affected employee with $50,000. Additionally, RCC must conduct ADA training for its staff and submit periodic compliance reports as part of the settlement.

Title I of the ADA prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals based on disability. It obliges employers to provide reasonable accommodations, barring any undue hardship, and prohibits termination or denial of employment opportunities on these grounds.

This case was managed by the U.S. Attorney's newly established Civil Rights Division, a part of Sellinger's efforts to enforce federal civil rights laws, including the ADA. The lawsuit was referred to the division by the Newark Area Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Individuals suspecting discrimination can file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office or contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline. Information about the ADA and rights under this law are available at the Department of Justice’s ADA website or through its toll-free information line.

The case against Roosevelt Care Centers represents a pivotal enforcement of ADA regulations, reinforcing the rights of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and highlighting the need for employers to adhere to federal civil rights laws. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thandiwe Boylan of the Civil Rights Division in Newark represented the government in this matter.