Close the leg rest on the La-Z-Boy recliner. If the handle is broken, sit on the recliner with your legs on the leg rest. Grab the front of the arms and push the leg rest into the front of the recliner with your legs.
Tilt the La-Z-Boy recliner forward so it is resting on the front of the foot rest. The rear of the chair should be pointing to the ceiling.
Turn the screw securing the handle to the recliner shaft with a T30 Torx driver. The screw is slightly hidden in a small hole in the back of the handle.
Grab the handle where it connects to the recliner shaft with your fingers, and pull it straight off the shaft. It might be necessary to wiggle the handle off the shaft as you are pulling. Slide the escutcheon plate off the recliner shaft.