Disability Discrimination Solicitor | Paul Doran Law

Belfast Office
12 Carnmoney Road
Glengormley
County Antrim BT36 6HN

Leeds Office
West One
114 Wellington Street
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 1BA

London Office
124 City Road
London EC1V 2NX

Newcastle Office
Gear House
Saltmeadows Road
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear NE8 3AH

Telephone: 0808 1687 288
Email: enquiries@pauldoranlaw.com

Disability Discrimination

An employer/potential employer may not differentiate in the treatment of a disabled employee based on that individual’s disability. This means that disabled individuals are to be provided the same opportunities as non-disabled individuals in all areas, including work, services and facilities and in respect of the provision of goods and services.

 Disability Discrimination

Disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment, which has a substantial and long-term negative effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.” More information on mental health discriomination can be found here.

To be considered disabled you must show that your physical and/or mental impairment(s):

An impairment is judged as having an affect on the individual’s ability to carry out of normal, day-to-day activities if any of the following are compromised:

Disability Discrimination differs slightly between Northern Ireland and the UK.  However in general the types of discrimination are largely the same.

Direct Discrimination

This happens when somebody treats you less well than another person who doesn’t have a disability and the other person’s circumstances and abilities are the same as, or very similar to yours.

There is no defence to direct discrimination

Discrimination by Association

This protects your family and friends from direct discrimination because you or someone close to you has a disability.

For example, you need to make up some work hours that you missed when you took your son to a medical appointment for his epilepsy. Your employer is not flexible in the way you can make up the work hours. However, your colleague takes her son, who does not have epilepsy, to a doctor’s appointment. Your employer is very flexible in the way she can make up her hours.

Indirect Discrimination

This happens when you are put at a disadvantage to other people, because of some practice, procedure or criteria that apply to everyone puts you as a disabled person at a particular disadvantage; and there isn’t a fair explanation for that rule or practice.

Examples

A rule that all employees must be able to show walk up steps.  If you are wheelchair bound, this rules puts you at a significant disadvantage.

Discrimination Arising from a Disability

This happens when somebody treats you unfavourably; and the treatment is because of something arising from your disability; and they knew, or should have known, that you had the disability; and they can’t give a fair reason for that unfair treatment.

There are some difference between legislation applicable to Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.  We will discuss any differences with you if the need arises.

Examples

You have a long absence from work because of cancer. Your employer dismisses you because of that absence, even though they could have covered your work duties during your absence. This is discrimination.

Failure to make a Reasonable Adjustment

Sometimes, people or organisations may need to make a reasonable adjustment in respect of your disability. This is to make sure that you are not put at a substantial disadvantage to other people, just because you have a disability. Failure to make this adjustment could be illegal. The person or organisation that has the duty to make the adjustment is not allowed to pass any cost of making them on to you.

Reasonable adjustments can include:

Examples

An employer could allow you to start and finish work later than other employees, if you usually have seizures as a result of your epilepsy first thing in the morning, provided this fits in with their working practices.

More information on reasonable adjustments can be found by clicking here.

Harassment

This happens when somebody behaves towards you in a way you don’t want, such as taunting or bullying, and the behaviour has the purpose or effect of violating your dignity (failing to treat you in a respectful way), or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for you.

Your employer has a duty to protect you from harassment by the people you work with. If your colleagues bully you because of your disabilty, your employer may be considered responsible for this.

Example

You suffer from dyslexia. Your colleagues make abusive and insulting comments about you and your reading ability.  This could count as harassment.

Victimisation

This is when somebody treats you less well than other people, because you have complained of disability discrimination; or they treat you less well because you have helped somebody else to complain about disability discrimination.

Example

You are not invited to office social events because you supported a colleague when they complained about discrimination at work.

Make an Enquiry Now

To make a free enquiry based on any of the issues raised on this page please contact us on 0808 168 7288, or complete the online contact form at the top right of this page.

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My experience has been a very professional one. The case ran smoothly from the get go. I was always kept in the loop. Dinah T

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Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice, would recommend. Ken S

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Professional approach and positive attitude. Shirley M

Competent and efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

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Staff and solicitor very helpful at all times. Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously, and in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

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My experience using Paul was very professional at all times. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Straight forward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result, Paul did a lot of work. Thank you. Lyn E

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Outstanding, friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

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From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard, after which the process was then easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

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Completely professional, and secured a settlement beyond my expectations. Cormac was exceptional – very many thanks. Joan W

Very happy with results. Very grateful for all Paul and his team have done for me. I feel valued as a client, my questions were always answered very quickly. Thank you. Anna V

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It took me a long time to find a solicitor who would support my case. I’m so glad I found Paul Doran Law who brought me success. Shirley N

I have had a very pleasant experience using Paul Doran Law and would definitely use again. Rebecca McM

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Cormac was excellent from start to finish. I have already recommended him to friends and family. Sam M

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Cormac was very professional and reassuring at all times. Kat K

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Very well treated throughout. I was always listened to and my questions answered. Allan H

I found Mr Rice to be professional, amiable and my overall experience was a positive one. Marcel G

I received valued information initially and came back later to receive a very satisfactory outcome. Lyn F

Put at ease very early on which helped me feel less stress. Harry D

I can’t thank you enough. I am so glad with the outcome and will recommend you. Christopher B

Cormac was great. Tom B

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. Shelia H

This claim has been handled professionally and without delays. I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Should the need arise I would definitely use Paul Doran’s services again. Suzie U

Any queries were answered quickly with detailed responses.  Sharon H

Everything was written very simply and in plain English which was good. Sylvia B

When time lines have been set, they have been met. I did not just feel like a case number. Karen S

When I emailed, Paul replied straight away.Very friendly and easy to talk to. Rita C

Paul was very thorough and helpful and successfully brought my case to an end. Margaret C

I feel strongly that Paul cares about clients. Pamela R

Paul was very reasonable and fair regarding the fees deducted from my claim offer I was awarded. Deborah McM

Very professional all the way through the process. Sharon C

I found all the staff to be knowledgeable and highly professional. Stephanie W

Well informed and easy to contact. I wouldn’t have won my case without him. Audrey S

Very good. Always stayed within the timescales given. Sound advice. Would recommend. Ken S

Efficient. Helpful. Take the clients points into consideration. Angela R

Paul Doran Law has been extremely helpful and supportive in very difficult circumstances. David R

Although a lengthy case, I have been constantly updated throughout. Jenny R

Professional and efficient service with helpful and friendly staff. Susan R

My case was handled professionally and my solicitor was very understanding and quick to respond. Eleanor P

Paul was very helpful and friendly. Adrian M

Cormac is a very reassuring person. He was very supportive when I got the jitters. Iain M

Kept going when it did not good and achieved a successful outcome. Shirley M

Competent, efficient and very pleasant to deal with. Cloda McN

Cormac deserves a salary for counselling alone! Lesley A

Cormac explained my options and talked me through each step and advised me of the best possible outcome. Gerard McL

They were quick to get things sorted. Emma McA

Very satisfied with the outcome to my case. Evelyn H

Solicitor very knowledgeable and took my case and concerns seriously in a very professional manner. Deborah H

Friendly, efficient and very professional. Charlotte G

I liked the personal touch. I received phone calls with updates instead of relying on letters all of the time. Sharon C

Very friendly and competent service. Peter G

Very professional. Kept me up to date at all times throughout the process. Blanche G

Straightforward service which is exactly what I needed. Paula F

Good end result. Paul did a lot of work. Lyn E

Very professional and always willing to help and offer advice when needed. Lytreena D

Very pleasant manner from staff and solicitors. Sara C

Outstanding. Friendly service from start to finish. Matthew C

I feel the company worked very hard to get the result. Christine C

From day one there was a plan of action. I feel I was listened to and heard after which to prove the case got easy. Kanta C

I would highly recommend. Karen B

Very good overall service. Judith B

Very happy with all aspects of my experience from initial contact to finish. Andrew B

Very professional, friendly and efficient. Kept me informed throughout the process. Paula F

Very professional. I always felt valued as a client Christine C

Paul was extremely professional and efficient Lesley A

Outstanding – friendly service from start to finish Matthew C

Paul Doran was very helpful during my communications, friendly & professional. Adrian M

I found right from the beginning Paul was very friendly and easy to ask questions at any time. Rita C

Paul is prompt, friendly and approachable. I liked how he was committed to my case and kept me informed. Judith P

I appreciate the thorough and expedient manner to which the task was completed. Barbara H

I feel Paul really cares about his clients and works to get the best outcome and justice for them.  Elaine S

My claim has been handled professionaly and without delays.  I am totally satisfied. Kelly L

Paul’s legal service is professional and thorough. Sharon H

I entrusted him with something that was very important to me and he did not let me down. Deborah McM

I was in contact with Paul on many occasions and all queries were dealt with personally and politely. Judith C

It has been a pleasure using Paul Doran Law. I would recommend him to friends and family. Sylvia B

Cormac was an absolute pleasure to work with – very polite, helpful, and thoughtful. Jessica D

Paul was polite and considerate and efficient. I would highly recommend this firm Geraldine A

I have been very impressed by the industry knowledge and the level of service provided. Nuala M

Quick, honest and responsive.

J Chambers

The service provided has been delivered beyond expectation.

K L Stokoe

Recommend without reservation.

J Taylor

If Paul had not taken on my case, I would not have received monies owed to me. E Shefford

I would recommend Paul’s legal service as it is professional and thorough. S Hall

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