A medical leave of absence can be a reasonable accomodation for a disability under the ADA in certain circumstances.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, which covers Kentucky, made this ruling in Cehrs v. Northeast Ohio Alzheimer's Research Center, 155 F.3d 775 (6th Cir. 1998).
But please remember and be advised that just because a medical leave of absence is a reasonable accomodation for one employee, it does not mean that another employee is entitled to a medical leave of absence to accomodate his or her disability. What is or is not a reasonable accomodation requires an individualized, case-by-case assessment.
An employee who requires a reasonable accommodation for his or her disability should be prepared to propose one or more specific accommodations. This will likely require some involvement and input from the employee's doctor, who likely will have to certify that the accommodation(s) would beconsistent with any restrictions applicable to the employee because of the disability.
Lexington, Kentucky disability lawyer Robert Abell represents individuals and employees with a disability in cases arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); contact him at 859-254-7076.
