The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission reported that it sued Dependable Health Services Inc., of San Antonio, Texas, claiming disability discrimination when Dependable fired an employee after she had an attack of Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder.

The claimant's supervisor fired her after she returned to work because management officials believed the claimant had suffered a stroke and were concerned that she might experience another one on the job, according to the EEOC.

 “Based on the doctor’s notes which stated that the claimant could return to work, DHS should have returned this employee to work,” said EEOC Supervisory Trial Attorney Judith Taylor. “Instead, the company allowed speculation and fears over her perceived disability to prevent this employee from returning to her job. This is exactly the type of discrimination the ADA was meant to address and stop.”