By its definition, FMLA covers serious family- and medical-related situations. These include: • The birth of a child or the care of a child up to one year old. • The adoption or foster placement of a child up to one year after the placement. • The need to care for a close family member with a serious medical condition. • A severe health crisis that renders the employee unable to perform essential functions of his or her job. • A qualifying situation regarding a close family member on active duty, including making financial/legal arrangements when the serviceperson is quickly deployment overseas, to helping with childcare for that deployed parent. • The assumption of caretaking responsibilities for a relative on active duty or is a covered veteran who has a serious injury or illness.