Genetic Information Discrimination
While it sounds like something that would be an issue in a science-fiction, futuristic movie, cases involving discrimination due to genetic information are popping up across the country.
On May 21, 2008 the President signed in to law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, also referred to as GINA. The law was written in order to protect Americans from being treated unfairly because of differences in their DNA that may affect their health. GINA prevents discrimination from both health insurers and employers.
The passing of GINA was important for everyone. Every person has numerous DNA differences that could increase or decrease their chance of getting a disease such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease. The research in DNA health can be used to help treat people. However, it can also be used to discriminate against people as well.
Recently, one of the first Genetic Information Act lawsuits was settled against a nursing home in New York. The nursing home would ask employees about their family medical history as part of its post-offer, pre-employment medical exam of all applicants. This kind of information request is illegal under GINA. The EEOC sued the nursing home on behalf of 138 individuals who had been asked for their genetic information and the nursing home settled for $110,400 to be payable to all of the individuals.
As cases have started popping up around the US based on genetic discrimination, people are starting to better understand the rights that are protected under GINA. People can have genetic tests done which could benefit their health while sleeping soundly knowing that the feedback provided by the tests is safely secure and unable to be used against them.
While this is still a relatively new law, both health insurers and employers do fall under the guidelines, as of 2009. However, the law as it is currently written does not cover life insurance, disability insurance or long-term health insurance.
If you feel that you have been discriminated against then please contact our Tennessee employment law attorneys at the Higgins Firm. We are happy to help you in any way we can.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
