Do I Qualify For Other Medical Leave?
Our Ohio medical leave attorneys answer your questions
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows people to take time off for a variety of medical reasons. You can learn more about some of those reasons on our page, “Do I Qualify For FMLA?”
But not all workers are covered by the FMLA, and not all instances of medical leave qualify for FMLA protection. Moreover, some employees may find that the 12 weeks of leave under the FMLA is not sufficient to allow them to return to work.
Employees in this situation should request the leave they need. In certain instances, medical leave may qualify as a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and you may qualify for leave even if you have taken all of your FMLA leave or are not eligible for FMLA leave.
Reasons allowed for taking medical leave
The most common reasons why people take unpaid medical leave involve:
- Taking time to recover from a serious illness
- To receive ongoing treatment for an illness or serious health condition
- Taking time to care for a family member with a serious illness
- Being parents of a newborn child
- Being parents of a recently adopted child
But there are other reasons why you may be able to take unpaid time off for medical leave. These include:
- To care for family members if your spouse is called to active duty in the military
- To prepare for the birth of your child
- To deal with the placement of a foster care child
And while there are strict requirements concerning who legally qualifies for unpaid medical leave – including working at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months for your company, which must have at least 50 employees within 75 miles – your employer may have other policies as well, which must be followed through in a fair and legal manner. That’s why it’s important to talk with us.
We can help you
Don’t simply assume you can’t take unpaid time off just because you don’t qualify under the FMLA. Contact us and speak with an experienced member of our legal team. A medical leave attorney can help you explore all your options and talk with your employer if you think that might help your situation.
Our goal is to help you care for yourself or your family. If you’re reading this page, you likely want to do the right thing for your family. We want to help you achieve your goals and make your life as easy as possible during this difficult time. Schedule your free case evaluation today. We’re here for you when you need us most.