WINTER PARK -- Potential changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act could mean people previously not considered disabled could soon see employment benefits.
The proposed ADA Amendments Act would include people with diabetes, epilepsy, serious heart conditions, mental disabilities and even cancer.
The act passed in the U.S. House in June. If the Senate approves the bill, lawyers said employees will need to be careful to avoid litigation.
"I think your managers in the field will have to pay very special attention, and when employees come forward and say, 'Hey, I've got a disability,' or 'I have something type of impairment,' that they need to take it right to the experts -- the human resources department," said Jeffrey Jones, an attorney who specializes in employment law.
Spokespeople for the employment law firm Littler Mendelson told News 13 it was in the process of preparing its clients for what it believes will be the inevitable passing of the ADA Amendments Act.
The firm believes the bill could become law as early as January 2009.
Comment on this story.