In a breakthrough for those in the workplace with mental disabilities, a New York bank recently settled a long-term disability federal lawsuit that had been filed by an individual who suffers from severe depression.
Just before the case was to go to trial, Israel Discount Bank of New York--while not admitting liability--agreed to adopt a long-term disability insurance policy that provides equal benefits to employees--regardless of whether their disability is physical or mental.
The case had been one of the first to challenge health insurance coverage that limits benefits for mental disabilities when there is no physical disability. "This settlement will go a long way toward ensuring that individuals with mental disabilities are treated the same as individuals with physical disabilities in employer-provided insurance plans," says Equal Employment Opportunity Commission chairman Paul M. Igasaki.
