News Notes: Disability Claim Payouts Reach Record Level

The federal government pulled in a record $49.9 million last year for employees who filed complaints under the Americans with Disabilities Act, an increase of $34 million over the last six years, according to recent Equal Employment Opportunity Commission statistics. Topping the list were HIV-related claims of $10.5 million, followed by orthopedic and back injuries of $6.3 million. The amount collected for employees with anxiety or stress-related claims more than doubled from the previous year to $2 million. What’s more, employers paid out $5.4 million for disability discrimination complaints filed by employees who weren’t necessarily disabled, but claimed their employers perceived them as being disabled.