Helmer Friedman LLP

09/02/2026

American Airlines $200K ADA Disability Discrimination

American Airlines Disability Discrimination lawsuit says airline refused to provide accommodation for blind employee, then fired her....

American Airlines will pay $200K for disability discrimination, wrongful termination after firing a blind employee. Learn what the case means.

08/31/2026

LAPD SWAT Whistleblower Wins $3.5M Retaliation Verdict

Timothy Colomey, once a respected figure in the LAPD's elite tactical unit, courageously stepped forward to uncover wrongdoing. His decision, however, came with grave personal repercussions; former colleagues labeled him "Top Rope" and "a rat," leaving him feeling like "a ghost." This deep isolation poignantly highlights the human cost of whistleblowing, central to one of the most scrutinized retaliation cases in recent years. Mr. Colomey was represented by attorney Greg Smith....

LAPD SWAT sergeant Timothy Colomey won $3.5M in a whistleblower retaliation case. Learn how law protects employees who report misconduct.

08/27/2026

$6.8M Verdict Exposes LAPD Misconduct and Abuse of Power

For anyone who has faced retaliation, false arrest, or abuse at the hands of those meant to protect them, this case offers a sobering lesson. It shows how quickly systems designed to serve citizens can be turned against them. It also shows that accountability, though slow and hard-won, is still possible. Douglas's attorney, Lauren McRae...

A U.S. Army veteran won a $6.8M verdict against the LAPD after a false arrest and abuse. Learn what the Douglas case reveals about police accountability.

08/24/2026

Workplace Retaliation After Reporting Discrimination: Know Your Rights

The case of Dr. Haiying Huang serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles many individuals face in the workplace when retaliation occurs. Dr. Huang joined the University of Texas in 2014, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience as a respected faculty member in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her impressive track record included securing nearly $900,000 in grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Office of Naval Research to develop advanced structural health monitoring sensors. Despite her achievements, Dr. Huang's male colleagues often undermined her authority. She reported these experiences, as well as her observations of gender discrimination within the department, but tragically, she was terminated from her position. Dr. Huang Representatives: Frank Hill, Ian Klein of Hill Gistrap, P.C....

Retaliation is the most frequently alleged basis of discrimination. Learn what it looks like, your legal rights, and how to protect yourself.

08/20/2026

Vaccine Mandates & Workplace Discrimination Rights

When Public Health Meets Employee Rights: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Employment Discrimination Law COVID-19 reshaped nearly every aspect of American life. By the time the U.S. death toll reached 700,000, hospitals were overwhelmed, morgues were strained, and employers across the country were scrambling to protect their workforces. Vaccine mandates became one of the most common responses. For many companies, requiring vaccination felt like a reasonable and responsible step....

Were your religious or disability accommodation rights violated during COVID-19 vaccine mandates? Learn what the law requires—and what to do if your employer failed you.

08/19/2026

Kroger Pays $75K in Disability Discrimination Case

A breast cancer survivor asked for a stool. She got silence instead. That silence—spanning months of unanswered calls, cancelled shifts, and corporate indifference—cost The Kroger Co. $75,000 and a federal lawsuit. For employers across the country, this case is more than a cautionary tale. It's a blueprint for exactly what not to do when an employee requests a disability accommodation. Here's what happened, why it violated federal law, and what every employer needs to understand before they make the same mistake....

08/13/2026

Transgender Athletes, Discrimination Law & Your Rights

A 12-year-old transgender girl endured more than two years of bullying, exclusion, and harassment at the hands of teammates and coaches. From the locker room to the courtroom, from the workplace to the rowing dock, transgender people face discrimination that carries real, lasting harm. At the same time, the legal protections designed to shield them are being actively challenged, reinterpreted, and in some cases, dismantled....

From the 2026 Supreme Court sports ruling to workplace harassment claims—learn how federal and state laws protect transgender individuals, and when to seek legal help.

08/05/2026

Protecting Healthcare Workers from Resident Harassment

Healthcare workers—nurses, housekeeping staff, aides, and administrators—perform some of the most demanding and vital work in our society. They deserve workplaces that protect them. A $250,000 EEOC settlement exposes how facilities fail staff. Learn the legal obligations and best practices for preventing resident harassment in healthcare....

A $250,000 EEOC settlement exposes how facilities fail staff. Learn the legal obligations and best practices for preventing resident harassment in healthcare.

07/29/2026

Mental Health Accommodations and Wrongful Termination

Amanda Reeves, a Peak Performers employee whose employer denied her request for unpaid leave to address her mental health disabilities. The accommodation she needed was modest—a four-to-six week leave of absence. Had it been granted, she would have returned to work within three weeks. Instead, she was terminated. The case settled for $160,000. Employers have legal obligations to provide mental health accommodations under the ADA. Learn what's required—and what happens when those obligations are ignored. Case: U.S. EEOC v. St. Vincent De Paul Rehabilitation Services of Texas, Inc. d/b/a Peak Performers, Case No. 1:25-cv-01551...

Employers have legal obligations to provide mental health accommodations under the ADA. Learn what's required—and what happens when wrongful termination occurs.

07/28/2026

MetaMate AI Discrimination: Know Your Legal Rights

AI tools are influencing firings, rejections, and pay cuts—often targeting workers on disability or medical leave. Learn what the law says and when you have a claim....

AI tools are influencing firings, rejections, and pay cuts—often targeting workers on disability or medical leave. Learn what the law says and when you have a claim.