Friday, May 25, 2012

New ADA interpretation

If you were fired and sue under ADA, you will not have to prove that your dismissal was only because of a disability if you live in the jurisdiction of the 6th Circuit. The federal appeals court voted 9-7 in favor of Susan Lewis. She had sued Humboldt Acquisition Corp of Jackson, Tennessee, claiming the retirement home operator let her go because of her medical condition. She has trouble walking and has to use a wheelchair. The company claimed Lewis was fired for an angry tirade during an confrontation with her supervisors. A jury agreed with Humboldt - because they were instructed by the judge to rule in favor of Lewis only if her health issues were the sole reason she was fired. The appeals court reversed that decision today.