Triple-S Vida and Triple-S Management to Pay $100,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

SAN JUAN, P.R. – Triple-S Vida, Inc. and Triple-S Management, Corp. (together, “Triple S”) have agreed to pay $100,000 and provide other equitable relief to settle a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

According to the EEOC’s lawsuit, a traveling sales agent requested reassignment to an in-office position as a reasonable accommodation because her fibromyalgia symptoms limited her ability to drive for extended periods of time. Triple-S delayed accommodating the employee with a reassign­ment for approximately three years from the date of her initial request.

Such alleged conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for Puerto Rico (EEOC v. Triple-S Vida, Inc., Case No.: 3:21-cv-01463-FAB) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

Under the three-year consent decree settling the lawsuit, Triple-S will pay $100,000 to compensate the employee; modify its reasonable accommodation policy; and provide specialized training to its human resources and recruiting personnel on reasonable accommodations under the ADA.

“The EEOC is committed to protecting the rights of qualified employees who can be reasonably accommodated by way of reassignment,” said Kristen Foslid, regional attorney for the EEOC’s Miami District. “This case highlights that employers must act in a timely manner, and not delay, in responding to a request for reasonable accommodation.”

EEOC San Juan Local Office Director William Sanchez added, “Reassignment is not a reasonable accommodation of ‘last resort.’ The ADA expressly identifies reassignment to a vacant position as a reasonable accommodation. Employers should be aware of these requirements.”

For more information on disability discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination .

The Miami District Office’s jurisdiction includes Florida, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division; the EEOC is responsible for investigating charges against state and local government employers before referring them to DOJ for potential litigation. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov. Stay connected with the latest EEOC news by subscribing to our email updates.