Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement commending the state of California adopting new regulations governing disability discrimination.

The new regulations, proposed by California’s Fair Employment and Housing Commission, were finalized and put into effect last month. The new regulations are centered around whether employers have provided reasonable accommodations, whether employers and employees have met their obligations to engage in the “interactive process,” and whether discrimination has occurred. Most of these new regulations serve to protect the rights of employees suffering from disabilities. For example, one of the new regulations includes expanded provisions that address bringing “assistance” animals into the workplace as a reasonable accommodation to a disabled individual.

“It’s always rewarding when the state acts to enhance or improve regulations that are put in place to protect employees from discrimination,” said Shegerian. “We applaud the state of California for taking this step forward. Any move to reduce discrimination on the workplace is a good move. Unfortunately discrimination of the disabled is all too common, so this is very much a step in the right direction. No employee, disabled or otherwise, should ever be unfairly discriminated against by his or her employer.”

Shegerian warns that disabled employees can and should be protected by law, and he warns organizations that any form of discrimination or termination of these employees because of their disabilities can lead to harsh financial consequences.

An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won over 62 jury trials, including 24 seven figure verdicts representing employees.