A federal court ruled this week against the world’s largest carrot grower in a case claiming Grimmway Farms discriminated against workers with disabilities. The case now goes to trial to determine damages.

“This decision is a major victory for disability rights and the rights of farmworkers across California.” — California Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish

Fresno-based U.S. District Judge Dale Drozd determined in a summary judgment that the Bakersfield-based company did not accommodate injured workers — including those injured on the job — with work alternatives and instead left them only with the option of unpaid time off.

“Defendant’s pattern or practice of placing almost all referred employees on unpaid leave when, in many cases, there were other reasonable accommodations a

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