The plaintiff in the case – Deborah Sattler – is confined to a wheelchair. She worked at the Caltrans office at 30th Street and Alhambra Boulevard in Sacramento. Sattler says she fell several times in her workplace restroom because Caltrans never installed a handrail. And the jury decided that Caltrans was at fault.
Sattler’s attorney says employers should take note. "Well a verdict of this size hopefully does send a message to employers."
Attorney Kelley Stimpel Martinez says it would’ve cost Caltrans less than $30 to install a handrail.
"Accommodation if it’s reasonable is not difficult. Employers really need to pay attention that these laws are there for a reason and should not be ignored."
Caltans officials say they made reasonable accommodations and are thinking about appealing the verdict.