Seattle & Minneapolis Disability Rights Lawyers
Living with a disability shouldn't mean accepting less than equal treatment. Whether you're facing discrimination at work, being denied access to public spaces, or struggling to get the accommodations you need, you have legal rights, and we're here to help you fight for them.
At MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, our disability rights lawyers in Seattle and Minneapolis have spent decades standing up for people with disabilities. We handle cases involving workplace discrimination, accessibility barriers, and denial of reasonable accommodations. Our team also works on employment discrimination matters and pregnancy discrimination cases that often overlap with disability rights issues.
We know these cases inside and out. More importantly, we know how to win them.
Understanding the Rights of Disabled People
Federal and state laws give people with disabilities strong protections against discrimination. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the main federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It covers employment, public services, and access to businesses that serve the public.
In Washington, the Law Against Discrimination (WLAD) provides even broader protections than the ADA. Minnesota has similar safeguards through the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA). These state laws often give disabled people more rights and stronger remedies than federal law alone.
What makes disability rights laws different from other civil rights protections? Disability rights laws don't just prohibit discrimination—they require active steps to ensure equal access. This concept is called "reasonable accommodation," and it's a powerful tool for disabled people.
Reasonable accommodation means employers, certain private businesses, and government agencies must take affirmative steps to level the playing field. This might include:
- Modifying work schedules or job duties
- Providing assistive technology or equipment
- Making physical spaces accessible
- Offering sign language interpreters or other communication aids
- Adjusting policies that create unnecessary barriers
Disability discrimination doesn't just affect people with physical disabilities. The law also protects people with mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and invisible disabilities like chronic pain or autoimmune disorders. And the disability does not need to be permanent to give rise to legal protections. Temporary physical or mental conditions are also disabilities under federal, Washington, and Minnesota law.
Common Problems People With Disabilities Face
Discrimination against disabled people takes many forms. In the workplace, employees with disabilities might be passed over for promotions, paid less than their coworkers, or fired because of their condition. Some employers refuse to provide reasonable accommodations or claim that the accommodations would be too expensive or difficult.
Public spaces and businesses sometimes fail to meet basic accessibility requirements. This includes everything from restaurants without wheelchair ramps to websites that don't work with screen readers. Government offices may not provide necessary services like sign language interpreters during legal proceedings.
Housing discrimination is another serious issue. Landlords sometimes refuse to rent to people with disabilities or won't allow necessary modifications to apartments or homes.
The disability rights lawyers in Seattle and Minneapolis at our firm have seen these problems countless times. We understand the frustration and harm that comes from being treated as less than equal.
How A Disability Rights Lawyer Can Help
Fighting discrimination on your own is tough. The laws are complicated, and businesses and employers usually have their own lawyers. A disability rights attorney levels the playing field and gives you a real chance at justice.
At MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, we've represented dozens of people with disabilities in cases against employers, businesses, and government agencies. We've recovered millions of dollars for our clients and helped change policies that kept disabled people from participating fully in their communities.
Advocacy for Reasonable Accommodations in the Workplace
Getting your employer to provide reasonable accommodations shouldn't require a legal battle, but sometimes it does. We help workers with disabilities request and secure the accommodations they need to do their jobs.
Reasonable accommodations look different for everyone. For someone with a mental health condition, this might mean a modified work schedule or a quiet workspace. For someone with developmental disabilities, accommodations could include additional training time, written instructions, or job coaching support. For someone with a physical disability, it might mean providing an accessible parking space close to the entrance.
Our Seattle disability rights lawyers and Minneapolis disability attorney team have handled cases involving all types of accommodations. We've helped people get modified work schedules to attend medical appointments, secured assistive technology for employees with visual or hearing impairments, and negotiated job restructuring for workers with physical limitations.
One of our most significant cases involved a Washington employee at a public utilities district who was wrongfully fired because of perceived side effects from prescribed medication. We fought for our client and secured $1.8 million in lost wages—one of the largest awards of its kind.
We also represented an EMT who needed an implantable defibrillator after a heart attack. His employer wouldn't let him return to work, even though he could safely do his job. We won significant damages for him and set an important precedent that helps first responders who experience cardiovascular incidents get back to work.
Why Choose MacDonald Hoague & Bayless
Our law firm has wide experience fighting discrimination against persons with disabilities. For decades, we've assisted people with disabilities to fight for their rights of access to employment and public spaces in a variety of contexts.
We get results. Our track record includes million-dollar awards, precedent-setting cases, and settlements that have changed policies affecting hundreds of people with disabilities. But we measure success by more than just money; we care about making real changes in our clients' lives.
We know the law. The ADA, WLAD, and MHRA are complex statutes with detailed regulations and years of court decisions interpreting them. Our lawyers stay current on all developments in disability rights law and know how to apply these laws to get the best possible outcome for each client.
We're strategic problem-solvers. Not every case needs to go to court. Our lawyers in Seattle and Minneapolis are skilled at assessing our disabled clients' needs through problem-solving, strategic thinking, and negotiations. When litigation is needed, we're prepared to fight hard in court.
We see you as a person, not just a case. Disability discrimination affects every part of your life, including your income, your confidence, and your ability to participate in your community. We take time to understand what you're going through and what matters most to you. We want to help you have equal and fair opportunities to participate fully in society.
We handle cases others won't. Some law firms shy away from disability rights cases because they're complicated or because the discrimination seems subtle. We take on tough cases and work to uncover all the ways discrimination has affected you.
Our clients tell us they appreciate our responsiveness, our clear communication, and our commitment to their cases. We treat every client with respect and keep them informed at every step of the legal process.
Contact Our Law Office in Seattle & Minneapolis Today With Your Case
If you're facing disability discrimination or being denied reasonable accommodations, don't wait to get help. Evidence can disappear, and legal deadlines can pass. The sooner you talk to a lawyer for disability rights, the better your chances of a successful outcome.
At MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, our legal services focus on protecting your civil rights and ensuring you have equal access to employment, public spaces, and the accommodations you need to participate fully in your community.
Ready to fight for your rights? Contact us today through our online form. Our Seattle disability rights attorney team and Minneapolis disability rights lawyers are here to help you get the justice you deserve. Whether you need legal advice about your rights, legal assistance in filing a claim, or full legal representation in court, our team has the experience to guide you through every step of the process.
Our disability attorneys represent individuals in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Tacoma, King County, and throughout the state of Washington. In Minnesota, we’re proud to represent individuals in the Twin Cities and across the state.
Our law offices are located at 705 2nd Ave, Unit 1500, Seattle, WA 98104, and 801 S Marquette Ave #200, Minneapolis, MN 55402.