How can I protect myself from discrimination due to my illness?
March 20, 2023 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Thomas Eiserfelder
Dear Medical Law Attorney,
I am reaching out to you because I urgently need help to protect myself from discrimination due to my illness. My name is Wilhelm Lehmann and I suffer from a chronic illness that has already caused me some difficulties in my daily life.
In the past, I have been discriminated against several times because of my illness. For example, I was fired from my job after my employer found out about my condition. Additionally, I was rejected and avoided by some people in my social circle because they were afraid of getting infected. These experiences have been very distressing for me, and I feel helpless and unprotected against discrimination.
I am very concerned that I will continue to be discriminated against because of my illness and would like to know what legal steps I can take to protect myself. Are there laws or regulations that protect me from discrimination due to my illness? How can I uphold my rights as a patient and defend myself against discrimination?
It would be very helpful for me if you could provide me with specific information and advice on how I can protect myself from discrimination. Thank you in advance for your support, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Wilhelm Lehmann
Dear Mr. Lehmann,
Thank you for your trust and your open communication regarding the discrimination you are facing due to your illness. I am sorry to hear that you have already had negative experiences in your work environment and social circle. It is important that you educate yourself about your rights as a patient and know how to defend yourself against discrimination.
In Germany, there are legal regulations that protect people from discrimination based on their illness. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) prohibits discrimination based on ethnic characteristics, gender, religion, belief, disability, age, or sexual identity. In your case, discrimination based on your illness could be considered a disability under the AGG. Therefore, you have the right to defend yourself against discrimination and demand protective measures.
As a patient, you also have rights under patient rights. This includes the right to self-determination, the right to comprehensive information about your illness and treatment options, the right to confidentiality, and the right to protection of your personal rights. If you feel that your rights as a patient are being violated, you can contact a patient advisory service or a lawyer specializing in medical law like myself.
To protect yourself against discrimination, it is important that you know your rights and take legal action if necessary. You can contact anti-discrimination agencies or lawyers specializing in medical law for support and advice. It is important that you do not feel alone and seek help to address discrimination.
I recommend that you seek expert advice promptly and take concrete steps to protect yourself from further discrimination. Do not hesitate to contact me or other experts in the field of medical law for support.
I hope that this information is helpful to you and I am available to answer any further questions or support you in legal matters.
Sincerely,
Thomas Eiserfelder
Lawyer specializing in medical law
