Joan Gale Quoted in HR Magazine
"Leave To Care For Adult Children Expanded"

Chicago partner Joan Gale was quoted in the September 2010 issue of HR Magazine discussing the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) as it relates to care for adult children. According to Joan, with the expansion of what constitutes disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act by the ADA Amendments Act, "it will become easier for an employee to take leave to care for an adult child with a serious health condition." Joan explained that under the FMLA, parents can take leave to care for their adult children who are not in the military and are not veterans if the children are incapable of self-care and have a disability as defined by the ADA. She also noted that examples of conditions that typically make an adult child incapable of self-care include Down syndrome or other developmental disabilities, brain damage, paralysis, long-term serious illnesses, and an accident that impacts major life activities seriously. She added, though, that "it's hard to draw a bright line."