On July 17, 2017, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that under the Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination law an employer may be required to accommodate an employee who is a current user of medical marijuana regardless of the employer’s drug free workplace and drug testing policies. For a complete discussion on the ruling and tips on how … Continue Reading
The Fifth Circuit recently upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit against an employer who denied an employee’s request to telecommute on the grounds that regular attendance at work is an essential function of her job as a litigation attorney. Credeur v State of Louisiana, 16-CV-30658 (5th Cir. 2017). The employer did provide unpaid leave as … Continue Reading
On May 4, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Brown v. Milwaukee Board of School Directors affirmed the summary judgment dismissal of a former employee’s disability discrimination claim under the ADA. While the employer consistently sought to find reasonable accommodations, plaintiff failed to engage in the interactive process because neither … Continue Reading
According to one federal court judge, a transgendered former employee can proceed with an employment discrimination case under the American With Disabilities Act (“ADA”) alleging that she was mistreated and fired based on her gender-identity-related disability. Blatt v. Cabela’s Retail, Inc., No. 5:14-cv-04822 (E.D. Pa. May 18, 2017). While courts have recognized federal protections for … Continue Reading
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment dismissing a former employee’s claim that he was terminated because of his purported disability, “sensitivity to electromagnetic voltage.” Hirmiz v. New Harrison Hotel Corp., Docket No. 16-3915 (7th Cir. Apr. 6, 2017). The Court held that “sensitivity to electromagnetic voltage” was not a … Continue Reading
In Preeson v. Parkview Medical Center, a federal court in Colorado denied Defendant’s motion for summary dismissal of a claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Plaintiff alleged, in relevant part, that her termination from employment constituted discrimination on account of a disability. Plaintiff suffered from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (“CVS”). As such, she contended … Continue Reading
In Crain v. Roseville Rehabilitation and Health Care, the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois denied an employer’s motion for summary judgment dismissing a claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Rehabilitation Act. In Crain, Plaintiff alleged that her employer discriminated against her under the ADA because of … Continue Reading
In Bethscheider v. Westar Energy, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas denied Defendant’s motion to dismiss claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Alleged by Plaintiff was that her migraine headaches constituted a disability entitling her to a reasonable accommodation. The Company terminated Plaintiff for “excessive absenteeism” despite the fact … Continue Reading
In Knight v. Barry Callebaut USA Service Company, Inc., the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania denied an employer’s motion for summary judgment on claims brought by a terminated employee under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). During the work day, the employee … Continue Reading
The Sixth Circuit recently reversed the grant of summary judgment in favor of an employer in a case arising under the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Court determined that an issue of fact existed as to whether the ability to lift more than 35 pounds was an essential function of plaintiff’s job as a stock … Continue Reading
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a grant of summary judgment finding that an employer did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) by discharging an employee after participating in an interactive process seeking reasonable accommodation. Dillard v. City of Austin, No. 15-50779 (5th Cir. Sept. 16, 2016). Following an … Continue Reading
In Beaton v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit, Docket No. 15 CV 08056 (S.D.N.Y. June 15, 2016), the Court denied Defendant’s motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s disability discrimination claims under the ADA and local laws. The case is significant because it addressed an alleged mental disability. By way of background, Plaintiff was employed by … Continue Reading
