If you have lost your job because of a disability, or because of something connected to it, you may be entitled to unfair dismissal disability discrimination compensation. Being dismissed is difficult in any circumstances, and it can feel especially unjust when your health or a long-term condition played a part in the decision. Understanding what you may be able to recover, and how the process works, is an important first step towards putting things right.
Paul Doran Law is a specialist employment law firm that acts only for employees. With more than 30 years of experience and offices in Belfast, Leeds, London, and Newcastle, we represent people across the United Kingdom who have been treated unfairly by their employers. We have secured significant compensation for clients dismissed in circumstances connected to a disability, and we guide every client through each stage with clear, practical advice.
When is a dismissal linked to disability discrimination?
A dismissal can be connected to disability in several ways. Sometimes an employer lets someone go directly because of their condition. More often, though, the link is less obvious.
For example, you might be dismissed for absence that was caused by your disability, for a drop in performance connected to your health, or because your employer was unwilling to make changes that would have allowed you to keep doing your job. Where the reason for dismissal is tied to your disability, the fairness of that decision comes into question, and compensation may follow.
What can compensation cover?
Compensation in disability discrimination cases is intended to put you, as far as money can, in the position you would have been in had the discrimination not happened. That usually begins with your financial losses. It can include the earnings you have lost since the dismissal, the wages and benefits you would have continued to receive, lost pension contributions, and the costs of looking for new work. If it takes you a long time to find another role, or if you have to accept lower pay, those losses can be considerable.
Can you claim for the way you were treated?
Yes. Alongside financial losses, you can be compensated for the upset and distress the treatment has caused, which is usually described as injury to feelings. Losing your job in circumstances connected to a disability can take a real toll on your confidence and wellbeing, and this is taken seriously. The amount awarded reflects how serious the treatment was and the effect it has had on you.
What affects how much compensation you receive?
Every case turns on its own facts, and several things influence the final figure. These include your level of earnings, how long you are out of work, whether you have found or are likely to find a new job, and the seriousness of the treatment you experienced.
We assess all of these factors carefully so that your claim reflects the full extent of your losses, rather than settling for less than you are owed.
How long do you have to act?
There is only a limited window in which to take action after a dismissal, and once it closes the opportunity to recover compensation can be lost for good. The deadline usually runs from the date your employment ended, and it is three months less a day which is far tighter than many people realise. Speaking to a solicitor quickly means the deadline can be protected while you decide how you wish to proceed, rather than being forced into a rushed decision as time runs out.
What if your employer says the dismissal was fair?
Employers rarely admit that a disability played a part in a dismissal. It is common for an employer to point to another reason, such as poor performance, redundancy, or a breakdown in the working relationship. Part of our role is to look behind the reason given and examine what really drove the decision.
We consider whether your employer followed a fair procedure, whether it properly took your condition into account, and whether it thought about changes that might have allowed you to stay. Where the stated reason does not stand up to scrutiny, or where your disability clearly influenced the outcome, that becomes central to both the strength of your case and the compensation you can recover.
How can we help?
We offer a free initial enquiry call to assess where you stand and what you can do next. If you decide to go ahead, we handle everything from raising the issue with your employer to negotiating a settlement or pursuing a formal claim, keeping you informed at every turn.
If you have lost your job in circumstances connected to a disability, the sooner you speak to us the better. Call our team on 0808 168 7288 or make an enquiry here.