U.S. Department
of Justice
United States v. Alabama Department of Transportation
On July 31, 2023, the United States filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) alleging a violation of Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The lawsuit alleges that ALDOT refused to hire an applicant because of his physical disability that results in a lifting restriction. The applicant's disability stems from an injury he experienced on the job, and for many years after that injury he worked for ALDOT successfully with accommodations. However, when the applicant reapplied after a brief retirement, ALDOT refused to hire him because of his disability. The complaint also alleges that ALDOT used selection criteria that screened out the applicant because of his disability that were not job-related or consistent with business necessity.