Legal Question in Disability Law in Florida

Re: I was denied a job because of my disability

That's a travesty and I am sorry to hear how you were treated. Moreover, if the potential employer has 15 employees or more, you may be able to sue although the job is called "independent contractor." This is a very complicated area of the law, but in short, if the employer controls access to the employment (as they do here), and then denies it for discriminatory reasons, they might be held accountable as if you were a "regular" employee.

And it may be that other "independent contractors" (of which there are probably more than 15), would be counted as "employees" for determining if there are in fact 15 employees which brings the employer under the federal law (Title VII). If not, the state and county laws have a lower number so you could file a discrimination claim with those offices.

You do not need an attorney to file a claim, which is free. Call your local EEOC office to speak to an investigator and see if they will take the case. You can call the state and county (where the employer is located) human rights commissions, too (or if the EEOC says no).

If you do want to hire an attorney, please call me for a free consultation. We can review the case and see how best to proceed. (I would usually take such a case, if it has merit, for a reasonable retainer to do the up front work, including helping you file the claim which you must do before suing in court, and then on a contingency basis for the remainder of the matter - no further fee unless we win or settle.)

Good luck.

Jeff Sheldon

Jeffrey L. Sheldon, Esquire

The Sheldon Law Firm

17804 St. Lucia Isle Drive

Tampa, FL 33647

813.986.7580

(f) 813.986.7489

(Admitted in Fl., MD, D.C., and Pa.)

[email protected]

http://www.SheldonLawFirm.com

Disclaimer: This posting does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. It is not confidential, nor is it privileged, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult with an attorney for advice specific to the facts of your case.