Disability Discrimination

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In Hazelwood v. Highland Hospital, 17-4139 (2d Cir. March 1, 2019) (Summary Order), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s (a deaf woman) claims of failure to accommodate and unlawful retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court provides some guidance as to what qualifies as an ADA “reasonable accommodation”: A reasonable…

Read More 2d Circuit: Disability Accommodation (Effective, Though Not Preferred) Was ADA-Compliant
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In a recently-filed complaint – captioned Stover v. Amazon.com, LLC et al, 19-cv-00054 (E.D.Ky Feb. 15, 2019) – the plaintiff alleges that the defendants subjected him to discrimination based on his disability (Chron’s disease). Plaintiff claims, specifically, that defendants terminated him because of “time theft” due to “excessive bathroom breaks” – which, he contends, were…

Read More Disability Discrimination Lawsuit Against Amazon
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In Duarte v. St. Barnabas Hospital, 15-CV-6824, 2018 WL 4440501 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 17, 2018) – a disability discrimination case – the court held, inter alia, that a jury award of $750,000 for punitive damages was too high, and that $125,000 was more appropriate. The court explained, inter alia, that “[u]nder the [New York City Human Rights…

Read More Court Explains Remittitur of $750,000 Punitive Damages Award in Disability Discrimination Case
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In Duarte v. St. Barnabas Hospital, 15-CV-6824, 2018 WL 4440501 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 17, 2018) – a disability discrimination case – the court held, inter alia, that a jury award of $624,000 for compensatory/emotional distress damages was too high, and that $125,000 was more appropriate. To do this, the court employed the procedural mechanism of “remittitur.” After explaining…

Read More Court Explains Remittitur of $624,000 Emotional Distress Damages Award to $125,000 in Disability Discrimination Case
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Federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws prohibit discrimination based on, among other factors, “disability.” That term is, in turn, defined in the statutes themselves. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C.A. § 12101 et seq., defines a “disability” as: “(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major…

Read More Is Obesity a “Disability” Under the Anti-Discrimination Laws?
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In Matter of 130-10 Food Corp. v. New York State Div. of Human Rights, 2018 NY Slip Op 08123 (App. Div. 2nd Dept. Nov. 28, 2018), the court held that employment (disability) discrimination claim should be dismissed on statute-of-limitations grounds. The court explained: “Pursuant to Executive Law § 297(5), a complainant seeking redress under the [New…

Read More Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed Against One Respondent as Time Barred; “Relation Back” Doctrine Inapplicable
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In Schmitt v. City of New York et al, 15-CV-05992, 2018 WL 5777019 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 1, 2018), the court, inter alia, denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s disability-related hostile work environment claims. This decision teaches, among other things, that the facts underlying such claims must be evaluated as a whole, rather than piecemeal.…

Read More Disability-Related Hostile Work Environment Claims Survive Summary Judgment
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In Dooley v. JetBlue Airways Corp., 17-2899 (2d Cir. Sept. 25, 2018) (Summary Order) affirmed the district court’s summary judgment dismissal,[1]Dooley v. JetBlue Airways Corp., No. 14-CV-4432, 2017 WL 3738721 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2017.) following discovery, of plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court explained, inter alia: “Although Dooley disputes…

Read More Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Disability Discrimination Claim Against JetBlue
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In A. Anonymous v. Mount Sinai Hospital, 2018 WL 4567945, 2018 NY Slip Op 06212 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept. Sept. 25, 2018), the Appellate Division, First Department unanimously affirmed the Supreme Court’s order granting defendant’s motion for summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s disability discrimination claim under the New York City Human Rights Law. Central to the court’s…

Read More Citing Lack of Knowledge of HIV, First Department Affirms Dismissal of Disability Discrimination Claim
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