If it walks like a duck…and talks like a duck…then???

Often when it comes to cancer and employment, legal issues and survivor rights may not have telltale feathers or a discerning squawk. And as Joanna Morales, Esq. brilliantly explained during the 2nd session of our Educational Series for Healthcare Professionals, when it comes to work and cancer, the law just may be your golden egg.

Joanna, Director of the Cancer Legal Resource Center, is incredibly well versed and exceptionally experienced in helping cancer survivors navigate the confusing world of legal rights. During the CAC teleconference/webinar presentation on April 7, 2011, Legal and Insurance issues to Consider, she spoke to 200+ healthcare professionals nationwide about the legal realities surrounding cancer, employment, insurance, discrimination, and everything in between.

Joanna put it best, saying:

“When we talk about cancer and the law, most people aren't really familiar with how the law really connects with cancer so there are a lot of things that are legal about cancer but we don't necessarily think of them as legal issues. So laws can provide protections against discrimination in the workplace or the health insurance or other types of insurance, it can provide people the right to take time off from work and not lose their jobs, it can create government benefit programs. Whether or not the FDA approves the particular type of treatment is a legal issue. Whether or not that particular treatment is going to be covered by an insurance company, that's a legal issue.”

The presentation addressed various topics, including:
• the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• reasonable accommodations
• the legality of “chemo brain”
And much, much more. To view the presentation, click here.

Or to visit the Cancer Legal Resource Center’s website click here, or call (866) THE-CLRC.

Finally, to sign up for the 3rd session of Cancer and Career’s accredited Educational Series for Healthcare Professionals on Thursday, May 12th, titled Re-Entering the Workforce After Short and Long Absences, with Julie Jansen, Executive and Career Coach and Author, and Laura Mosiello LCSW-R, Oncology Social Worker and Consultant, click here.