Civil rights laws and guidelines are in place to help protect the liberties of those in marginalized communities and to ensure equitable treatment in many key areas of public and private life. The lawyers at Thompson Law Office in Lexington, KY, offer representation in all manner of civil rights cases. Below, they discuss three of the more prevalent types of civil rights abuses that can lead to legal action. 3 Types of Civil Rights Cases
- Discrimination in Employment
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) aims to keep discrimination out of workplace hiring practices, but even with specific rules in place, some businesses choose to ignore them. According to the EEOC, it is a violation of federal law to discriminate against someone because of their age, disability, genetics, national origin, race, religion, or sex. Discrimination against any members of these protected classes, at any phase of employment, is a civil rights violation and could be sufficient enough to file a civil rights lawsuit with a lawyer.
- Discrimination in Housing
The Fair Housing Acts define the various kinds of discriminatory practices that are illegal under federal law. A landlord is required to treat all tenants equally and fairly across the board, with some notable exceptions. A landlord cannot discriminate based on disability, family status, national origin, race, religion, or sex. Any member of a minority population who has been unfairly targeted in a housing issue may be able to pursue a civil rights lawsuit against the responsible party.
- Discrimination in Public Accommodation
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990. It was the first all-inclusive civil rights law that took into account the special needs and requirements of those living with disabilities. The ADA made it illegal to discriminate against a disabled person by not providing adequate public accommodation. For example, businesses need to make reasonable accommodations for their disabled employees and patrons, and a failure to do so could be construed as a violation of the disabled individual’s civil rights. If you’ve been the victim of a civil rights abuse, it’s important to understand you have allies on your side. Let the lawyers at Thompson Law Office be your staunchest defenders. They offer representation in several practice areas, including civil rights cases, personal injury matters, and DUIs. Call (859) 280-2222, contact them on their website, or follow them on Facebook to learn about any of their services or to arrange a consultation.