SAN FRANCISCO — California employers and workers are increasingly butting heads over disability and leaves of absence — issues that employment lawyers say have been generating headaches for clients and more work for their counsel.
Though opinions vary about the drivers, management and plaintiffs’ attorneys agree that these kinds of disputes have been on the rise for the past several years. Employees are bringing up more work-related injury claims and asking for accommodation or time off for physical or emotional ailments that don’t stem from the job but affect it. Lawyers cite the recession — plus recent changes to disability laws and some eye-catching verdicts — as playing a role.
