Accommodation has its original meaning of a legal obligation entered into as a gratuitous favor without consideration, such as a signature guaranteeing payment of a debt. This is sometimes called an accommodation endorsement.[1] Its meaning has expanded to encompass a broader range of supportive actions, especially in terms of contracts and agreements.[2]
In the context of employment contracts, especially in terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodation refers to employers providing reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities or related issues.
Accommodations in an employment contract can cover the following:[3]
| Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Antidiscrimination | |
| Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) | Accommodation | |
| Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) | Accommodation |
The Accommodation Doctrine provides that the owner of a mineral estate has specific rights, but must exercise these rights in so as not to unnecessarily interfere with the rights of the surface owner.[6] The first example of this legal theory is found in the 1971 Texas Supreme Court case involving Getty Oil, Getty Oil v. Jones.[7] In this case, the height of the Getty Oil oil pumps or pumpjacks interfered with the irrigation system for the farm owned by Jones. The court ruled that Getty Oil had to accommodate to the surface rights of the farmer based on that:[8]
Due to the vast amounts of land renewable energy projects like wind farms and solar power facilities may use, accommodation agreements (non-interference agreements) can be used as legally binding contracts that define the terms and conditions under which the access is granted to their property for the development and operation of such a project.[9]