Obesity as a Disability Archives

October 11, 2025 by mjpospis

ADA Hostile Work Environment Claim Dismissed; Mental Health, Obesity Not Shown to Qualify as Statutory “Disabilities”

In Cassel v. Truss Communications, Inc., 2025 WL 2882054 (N.D.Okla. Oct. 9, 2025), the court, inter alia, granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s hostile work environment claim asserted under the Americans with Disabilities Act. From the decision: The ADA recognizes certain mental health conditions as qualifying disabilities. See 29 C.F.R. 1630.2(h) (“mental impairment means ……

Obesity-Related Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Dismissal Under NYC Human Rights Law

In McElroy v. The Dept. of Educ. of the City of New York, No. 160689/2017, 2019 WL 132532 (Sup Ct, New York County Jan. 08, 2019), the court (inter alia) denied defendant’s motion to dismiss, as insufficiently alleged, plaintiff’s claim that she was subjected to a “hostile work environment” because of her alleged disability (here, obesity).…

Is Obesity a “Disability” Under the Anti-Discrimination Laws?

Federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination based on, among other factors, “disability.” That term is, in turn, defined in the statutes themselves. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C.A. § 12101 et seq., defines a “disability” as: “(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major…