Court: U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit

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In Schwartz v. Marcantonatos et al. (Summary Order decided May 20, 2014), the Second Circuit affirmed the denial of summary judgment to defendants on the ground of qualified immunity. This false arrest case arises out of the NYPD’s botched attempt to arrest the plaintiff as part of its “lucky bag” program. Ironically, the arresting (plainclothes) officer’s own illegal…

Read More “Lucky Bag” Operation Backfires; False Arrest Lawsuit Continues
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In Betts v. Shearman et al, decided May 2, 2014, the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s claims for false arrest and malicious prosecution arising from his wife’s an encounter in which, he claims, his wife falsely accused him of assaulting her. Plaintiff alleged the following: On January 20, 2011 at approximately 11:30 p.m., while…

Read More Complaining Victim’s Allegedly False Accusation of Assault Insufficient to Establish False Arrest Claim
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In Sanderson v. NY State Electric & Gas Corp., No. 13-1603-cv (2d Cir. Mar. 27, 2014) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s sex-based hostile work environment, disparate treatment, and retaliation claims. Plaintiff worked as a gas fitter for defendant. Initially, she worked on the day shift as the only woman of…

Read More “Snickering” and “Under the Breath” Comments Held Insufficient to Establish Hostile Work Environment
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The Second Circuit recently held, in Parada v. Banco Industrial De Venezuela (decided March 25, 2014), that “impairments that limit the ability to sit for long periods of time do not categorically fail to qualify as disabilities under” the Americans with Disabilities Act. Plaintiff worked for the defendant in a “largely sedentary” position. About six…

Read More Circuit Rejects “Categorical” Determination that Inability to Sit for Prolonged Periods is Not a “Disability” Under the Americans with Disabilities Act
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Recently, the Second Circuit held, in Costello v. Flatman, that the district court erred by declining to award a prevailing plaintiff attorney fees under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In this lawsuit (as explained in the district court’s March 28, 2013 opinion), wheelchair-bound plaintiff Mike Costello alleged that while visiting a Brooklyn Subway restaurant, he…

Read More Second Circuit Remands for Reconsideration of Attorney Fee Request in ADA Public Accommodation Case
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In Sarkis v. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, the Second Circuit recently affirmed the district court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s claims that he had been subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliation in violation of  42 U.S.C. § 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the New York State Human Rights Law. Plaintiff sought…

Read More Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Plaintiff’s Hostile Work Environment and Retaliation Claims
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Recently, the Second Circuit held, in Kwan v. Andalex Group, that the district court erroneously granted summary judgment to defendant on plaintiff’s retaliation claims. Plaintiff alleged that she was fired by defendant’s Chief Investment Officer about three weeks after she complained to defendant’s Chief Operations Officer about gender discrimination, namely, by asking him why she was “being…

Read More Pointing to Inconsistent Reasons for Termination, Second Circuit Vacates Dismissal of Retaliation Claims
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Often, the facts that give rise to employment discrimination, hostile work environment, or constructive discharge claims will give rise to state law claims such as assault, battery, or intentional infliction of emotional distress. This is what happened in Castagna v. Luceno and Majestic Kitchens. There, plaintiff alleged that her boss, Bill Luceno, engaged in physically abusive…

Read More Filing EEOC Charge Does Not Toll Statute of Limitations for Related State Tort Claims
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In Castagna v. Luceno and Majestic Kitchens, 2014 WL 840820 (Summary Order), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit recently vacated a district court’s grant of summary judgment to defendants, and held that a reasonable jury could conclude that plaintiff suffered a sex-based hostile work environment under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of…

Read More Physical Threats Directed Solely at Women Supported Claim of Hostile Work Environment Based on Sex
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