BRALO v. Spirit Airlines, Inc.
Filing
135
ORDER Memorializing Ruling on Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment (DE 77). Signed by Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon on 3/19/2014. (adm)
UNI
TED STATES DI
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SOUTHERN DI
STRI OF FLORI
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ORDER DENYI DEFENDAN T' M OTI FOR SUM M ARY J
NG
S
ON
UDGM ENT
THI CAUSE i beor t Cour on Defnda Spii Ailne' (û rf' Moton fr
S
s f e he
t
e nt rt ri s çspii ) i o
Summar J me ( 38 .Pl ntf SegeBr o ($ ao' fld a Res e ( 49 ,a
y udg nt DE ) ai if r al ç 1 ' ie
Br )
pons DE ) nd
Spii,aRe y ( 59) TheCour de ed Spii' M otonprort ti ( 77) Thi Or
rt
pl DE .
t ni
rts i i o ral DE . s der
memorai est Cour' r lng.
i lz he
ts u i
Br l fl af urc Compli ( 1 agans Spii i Aprl201 f l ng is
ao ied o -ount
ant DE ) i t rt n i 3 olowi t
tr n to o hi e ly n i J l 2 2.S rts e s mmay j dg n o Cou t1
e miain f s mpo me t n u y 01 pii e ks u r u me t n n
( miy M e c Le Ac l e frnce,Count1 ( miy Medi lLe Ac Reaiton)
Fa l dial ave t ntree )
1 Fa l
ca ave t tlai ,
Cot lI ( rc ns wih Dia ltes Ac Dici nai ,a Count I ( orda Ci l
mt I Ame ia
t sbiii
t s rmi ton) nd
V Fl i vi
Riht Ac Dic i nai . Fo t f l ng r as , Spii' M oto f Summay
g s t srmi ton) r he olowi e ons
rts
in or
r
J
udgm e i D EN I .
nt s
ED
U ndi put d Fact 1
s e
s
Br l wor f Spii f a oxi a ey 1 ye r i va i c pactes m os r c nty
ao
ked or rt or ppr m t l 4 a s n rous a ii , t e e l
a a arrf man e a e s p r io .( 1 .A c r fmcin o Br l s mane n e
s n ica t itn nc u e vs r DE )
o e t to f ao' itna c
s r ior poston was e urng pas e e s f t i Br o' wor ,ther s a l oflve
upe v s
ii
ns i
s ng r a ey; n al s
ds û e' ot i s
t
iv le ' ( 3 - a 8 9 . Th wrte j b d s rp in f r a ar rf mane a c
n ov d. DE 8 4 t - ) e i n o e cito o n ica t itn n e
'
t
s nis i ntsest i y t da exe uton a i ove e o m a ntna e pr es e '
upe or de i
he t
da o y c i nd mpr m nt f i e nc oc s s'
a aman ae o r s i lt ( 38- a 12) Two S i pur e 'oft poston ae
s
i ra f eponsbiiy. DE 3 t - .
l n pos s' he ii r
ma
i r ln ) c le tv l wi Le d M e h nc t e s r man e a e i a c mpl h d i
t k ig olciey t a
wo
h
c a is o n u e itn nc s e o i e n
s
c mpin e wih Co a y poiis a d ma u l' a i ns ri g Le d Me h n c a e
o la c t mp n l e n
c
n as' nd d u ln ) a
e
c a is r
c i
ontnuousy s f ci a r s vi i s t tpr ntt peror nc ofwor fom beng
l ura ng nd e ol ng s ues ha eve he f ma e
k r
i
p ro me efce ty. ( 383 a 12, - 0 . ao sj b ivov dç y so 's p r iint
e fr d fiin l ' DE - t - 9 1 ) Br l' o n le % e n' u e vso o
'
e
ma es r h ss b r i ae we ep ro migt erd te p o ry.DE 3 - a 1 )
k u e i u o d n ts r e fr n h i uis r pel ( 8 4 t 0 .
W hen ne es ar Br l ac e a a wor ng s r i o who wor d a ongsde hi
c s y, a o t d s
ki upe v s r
ke l i
s
s di t , i l ng ci ng on a wor ng of ar a t sa
ubor naes nc udi
lmbi
nd
ki
f icr f t nds a i aic a t
nd n r r f
compa t nt , fe
rme s r quenty waki clmbi l dde s be ng, soopi unde ar r t
l
l ng, i ng a r , ndi
t ng
r ic af
i eeu ds ue fcsc mefo S rtsMoinfrS
Th s n ip td a t o rm pii' t o ummayJ d me t DE 3 )Brl' u dip td
o
r u g n ( 8 . aos n s ue
maeilfcsi hsRepo e( 4 )fit c nfr t teLo a Ruerq iigta
tra at n i s ns DE 9 alo o om o h c l l e urn h t
(lae nso maeil at sbmie i o po io t amoinfrs mmayj d me t h l
sttme t f tra fcs u t d n p st n o to o u r u g n s al
t
i
core pond wih t or ra wih t pa a aphnumberng s hemeus by t mov ,butnee not
rs
t he de nd t he r gr
i c
ed he ant
d
rpe tt t oft mova ' pa a a .Addii lf c swhih t pa t opposng s
e a he ext he
nts r p phs
tona a t
c he ry
i umma y
r
j dg n c ne saemaeils lb n mb rda dpa e a tee do teo p sn p ry'
u me t o tnd r tra hal e u ee n lc d th n f h p o ig a t s
sae ntofmatralf cs t mova s l u et tnumbe i s hemei t eaddii f t a e
ttme
e i a t; he
nt hal s ha
rng c
f hos
tonal acs r
a e s d i t r y.
ddr s e n he epl
Lo a Rue5 la. alr t flo ti rqurme tc nrs li a ymaeila tstfrhi temo a ts
c l l 6.() F i e o olw hs e ie n a eut n n tra fc e ot n h v n '
u
saemen t ti notIc r td byt opposng pa t ssaeme 'bei de d a ted,û ovi dt t
tt t ha s tontovere
he
i ry' tt nt' ng eme dmit t de hathe
pr
Co r f sta temo a tssae n i s p o tdb e ie ei terc d'Rue5 .( )Spr rq et ta
u tmd h t h v n' ttme t s u p re y vd nc n h eor. l 6 lb . ii e u ss h t
'
t
alofisundiput f csbede d a tedbec eofBr l sf l et c
l t
s ed a t
eme dmit
aus
ao' aiur o ompl wih t rquie nt of
y t he e r me s
Rul 56. .TheCou tdoesnotgos fr buthasus d Spii' f t t t e e t y a eu s edi t
e 1
r
o a,
e
rts acs o he xtnt he r ndiput n he
rcor
e d.
e nes waki up a do aic aq sandi andlfi upt 50pounds ( 38- a 12,
ngi , l ng nd wn rr f t ng, itng o
.DE 3 t 5- DE 38- a 8- 0,28- )
6;
4t 1
29 .
Spii m ant nanc s r ior and a r r t m e hani mus be FAA c riid i
rt i e
e upe v s s
ic af
c cs
t
e tfe n
arrme a powe ant mantna
ifa
nd
ml
i e nce.( 38- a 1 4) Br o, a Spii mant nc
DE 3 t , . al
rt i ena e
s r s ,s r s appr mael sx ar a tmec nis ( 38- a 7) Brl a hi
upevior upe vied
oxi t y i icrf
ha c . DE 4 t . ao nd s
s di t s we e r s
ubor na e
r e ponsbl f s r i ng 45 t 60 pl nes e y day, a st ton Br o
i e or e vci
o
a
ver
iuai
al
des rbe asi as pa d' a tq t a c le e,'e pe i ly whe any ofhi sx s di t s
c i d l t ce ' nd ûuie ha lng ' s c al
f
n
s i ubor na e
wa abs nt ( 38- a 7- 11.W heherBrl woul ha t pef m t physc las t
s e . DE 4 t 8, )
t
ao
d ve o ror he
ia pecs
ofhi m ant na s viorposton wa t e c a e,a Br l woul r plcae physc l
s i e nce uper s
ii
s mpr dit bl nd a o
d e i t
ia
as t Ofhi s di t 'wo k a
pecs
s ubor naes r nywhe e fom 2- tm esperwe t 2- tm e pe da
r r
3 i
ek o 3 i s r y.
( 3 - a 8 .Brl ste t g ph sca sa ssa ,Parca Tu ke,rp re t tBr l s
DE 84 t ) ao' rai
n y iin' sitnt tii c r e o td ha ao'
j b çe uied a1to p ysc la tvt icu i ci n u d re upme t ec, c u ig
o s q r gj o f h ia ciiy n ldng lmbig n e q i n , t.' a sn
r
'
hert de a he r ea e ofBr o ba k t w or be us çr tm lng i ve y lke y t w or e hi
o l y r el s
al c o
k ca e te t i s r i l o
sn s
c ndto a c u e a s ta k i h s rc v r ' ( 3 - a 8;DE 3 - a 2 ) Th
o i n nd a s
i
eb c n i e o ey. DE 8 3 t
'
84 t 9. e
cons ue es of bei s tsa f d i t m ant na e f iiy a deayi a aipl ne'
eq nc
ng hor-t fe n he i e nc aclt nd l ng n r a s
de ur i ude t posi lt ofc t rc ant,FAA fnes a ciains ( 38pm e ncl d he sbiiy usome ompli s
i , nd tto .DE 4
a 1 ll.
t 0- )
Br l knew fom hi m a ge e tani t t Spii outour d is FM LA la
ao
r
s na m nt r i ng ha
rt s ce t
e ve
f nci t Aena Lie I urnceCompa ($ na',a Brl kne how t- a diu tons o t f ns a
ny çAet ' nd ao w
)
o nd d
s l-niit ar s f FM LA lavewih Aenai M a c 201 ( 38- a 1 1 .Aena
efi tae equet or
e
t t n r h 2. DE 4 t 3-4) t
a ove Br l f FM LA l a f om M a c 2 t M a 4, 201 ( 384at18 . OnM ac 8
ppr d a o or
e ve r
rh o y
2. DE )2
rh
a 1 201 D or N ais a A e na Be ft Coor na or s nt Br l FM LA notc
nd 2,
2,
a
l, n
t
ne is
di t , e
ao
i es
2Br l smedia la wa unr atd t a wor r 'compens ton cai . ( 383a 9, 3 - a 1 )
ao'
c l e ve s el e o ny ke s
ai l m DE - t '
DE 84 t 2 .
'
(
e ani hi FM LA be ft a rght.( 383 a 1 33) On M a c 27,201 Aena
xpli ng s
neis nd i s DE - t 6- .
rh
2, t
!
i
)
'
r t oa tvel a ove Br o' FM LA l a r ques f om M a c 2 t M ar h 25, 2 and s nt
e r c i y ppr d al s
e ve e
tr
rh o
c
201
e
:
1
.
hi a herFMLA deemi ton notce ( 38- a 34- DE 38- a 1 .On Aprl30,
m not
tr nai
i . DE 3 t 35;
4 t 5)
i
(
t
201 Ae na a oved a e e i n ofBr l s FM LA la t M a 4,201 a s nthi a
2, t ppr
n xt nso
ao'
e ve o y
2, nd e
m
)
è
;
FM LA
e tn in d tnniain n tc a viig t t( )h mih b rq rd t p o i a
x e so ee n to oie d sn ha 1 e g t e e uie o r vde
i
'
t
.
tt sf - y ce tfcai bef e beng alowed t r t n t wor and ( i he di not
ines-ordut rii ton or i l
o etu' o k,
2) f
d
:
rt nt wor att endofhi a horze FM LA l ve, mi betr nae ( 38- a
eur o k he
s ut i d
ea he ght emi td. DE 3, t
(
'
'
!
36- 7 DE 38- at11 .Tha sme da Br o c ld Aena a c ime t the wo d
37.
4
6) t a
y, al ale t nd onfr d ha
ul
)
r tr t wok o M a 5 2 2.( 3 - a 38 .Brl n v ra k d Aen f ra FMLA
eu n o r n y , 01 DE 8 3 t ) ao e e s e t a o ny
:
(
la eb y ndM a 4 2 2.DE 384a 3 1 )
ev e o
y , 01 (
- t , 7.
O n M a 4 201 M s Tucke f xe a doc ors not 3 t Spii' l a c di t ,
y
2
.
r a d
t '
e o rts e ve oor na or
'
,
)
,
Aggi Lang.( 38- a 39;DE 384,a 1 38 .Brl di notrt n t wor on May 5,
e
DE 3 t
- t 9, ) ao d
eur o k
t
(
,
4 t 8) Brl le
d e
t l
i
ea
201 ( 38- a 39;DE 38- a 1 . aobeivedhewoul g taddi ona FM LA l ve
2 oE 3 t
.
'
.
t
)
t
:
j
q
a omaialy a wiho ar que ts l a hepr de dealdmedi lr c ds ( 38ut tc l nd t ut e s o ong s
ovi d tie
ca e or . DE 4
a 1 36)
t 6,
.
è
On M a 1 201 M s Tuc r f xe a s co docor s not t Spii whi h sae
y 4, 2, . ke a d e nd
t '
e o rt c t td
J
l
û eg ma rtr t wok52 /2@ lmie d t rd c sh d et a c mmo aep y ia
ç r e y eun o r /0 1 i td uy;e u e c e ul o c o d t h sc l
s
)
)
t rpy;lfi lmie t 201 ;a dr peii be ng/t pi '( 38- a 40;DE 38hea itng i td o bs voi e ttve ndi soo ng.' DE 3 t
4
J
a 4- 38) Thi not di nots iyt dur in orfeq nc ofBrl sphysc r titons
t 5, . s e d
pecf he ato
r ue y
ao'
ial esrci
.
,
l
)
ort tm e ne de f phys c lt r py;i con ai d no des rpton ofa m edi alco ton,
he i
e d or
i a he a
t t ne
ci i
ny
c
ndii
.
j
.
'
y
(
t
)
i
nordi i i ntf Br o' t n- ure dignossorphysca evauaton;i di notr l t a
d t de iy al s he c r nt a
i
i l l i t d
e ae ny
è
T
3Tomii z c n in teco r rfr t n tsise b Ms Tu k ra do trsn ts ato g teCo r
nmie o oso h u teb s o oe su d y . c e s co ' oe, l u h h ut
h
l
m e ca c ton t or e an t me c l ne s iy f Br l , pas or f t e l ve of
di l ondii o
xpli he dia ce st or ao s t
uur ea s
rcgie taseiapyiinssitn.
eonzshth s k s a'as at
c
s
4
(
j
a e eo d s rb a y me c l o i o . DE 3 - a 21 2 - 3 29 . aoddn trtl t
bsnc r e cie n dia c ndt n ( 84 t , 2 2 , ) Brl i o etn o
i
r
wor on M a 20,201 ora a tmet r fe .( 38- a 38;DE 38- a 21,24) Spii
k
y
2, t ny i heeatr DE 3 t
4 t
. rt
had no m e ca i or ai r gar ng Br o' nee f lave or ne d f ac om moda i
di l nf m ton e di
al s d or e
e or c
ton
oh r h nt eM a 4a M a 1 , 01 , o t rsn ts ( 384a 1 2 2 3 )
te t a h y nd y 4 2 2 d co ' oe .DE - t 9, 0, 2, 8 .
l mi l M s La s ntBrl alte rquesi doc
n d-une, . ng e ao etr e tng umentton ( )s
ai 1 uppori hi
tng s
lavefom M a 5 t M a 1 ( i ntf ngt FM LA deii i i t M ay 1 docors
e r
y o y 4, 2) de iyi he
fcences n he
4 t'
n t,( )r q e tn ac mpee ft e sfrd t c ri ain, n ( )wan n Brl t thi
o e 3 e u si g o ltd in s -o - uy e t to a d 4 r i g ao ha s
fc
f iur t pr de t medial i or ton ç a r s t i t t mi i of your
a l e o ovi he
c nf ma i û y e ul n he er naton
m
emplyme . ( 38- a 41444DE 384 a 25) M s La slte s ughtt s memedial
o nt' DE 3 t '
- t . . ng' etr o
he a
c
i or ai r quese by a pr de t t EEOC a t Fl i De rm e ofEcono i
nf m ton e t d
nd ovi d o he
nd he orda pa t nt
m c
Opporuniy by Br o' c e.( 38- at47- DE 38- at34- .The rques f a
t t
al s ouns l DE 3.
59;
4
35)
e t or
t s -ordut ce tfcai was pur ua t Spii' t f
kne sf - y rii ton
s nt o
rts mionn pr c ie t s ek s h
a tc o e
uc
ce tt ai i a c e whe e i a a st e oyeem a no be a et peronn e s ntal
rik tons n ny as
r t ppe r he mpl
y t
bl o f
se i
j bf n to s ( 3 - a 3 )
o u cin .DE 8 4 t 9 .
Br l di nots nd M s La s lte t hi physc a oras hi physc a t pr de
ao d
e
. ng' et r o s
ii ns
k s
ii ns o ovi
ao' ouns ot o .
t r se m e ca i or to ( 38- a 25 .l tad,Brl sc elwr e t Ms
he eque td di l nf ma i n. DE 4 t ) nse
xt nson
i
tn
c o ç l e pond' t
f
'o
La o J 21 201 r ques i an e e i oftme wihi whi h t l uly r s
ng n une , 2, e
tng
t J 1 r uetfrmediali or ton.DE 38- a 57- DE 38- a 26- .
he une 4 eq s o
e nf mai (
3 t 59;
4 t 27)
On J 25,201 M s. ng l tBr o avoi e a lgi ng hi a e e i oftme t
une
2,
La ef al
c m i vi
m n xt nson i o
J 29,201 t r s
une
2, o epondt he J 1 rquetf me c i or ton.( 38- a 56o r une 4 e s or dial nf mai DE 3 t 60;
DE 38- a 30- 3 39 .On J 28 a 29,201 M s La c l Brl t rieaet
4 t 31, 2, )
une
nd
2, . ng aled ao o etrt he
de dlne.( 38- a 31 39) Neihe Br l norhi a t ne eve pr ded t me c
a i DE 4 t , . t r ao
s tor y r ovi he dial
i or i rquese ( 38- a 31,34;39) Br l fl i wasSpii' oblgai t fnda
nf maton e td. DE 4 t .
. ao et t
rts i ton o i n
a o
cc mmod in frhi physc r titons ( 384a 22- .
ato o s ial esrci . DE - t 23)
By lte datd J y 3,201 Spii t r i t d Br l s e pl m e f r f lng t
e tr e ul
2, rt e m na e
a o' m oy nt o aii o
e
ngagei t i e a tvepr es a pr derquese me c li or ton.( 38- a 45n he ntr ci oc s nd ovi e td dia nf mai DE 3 t
4 ) M s La g wa t s l d cso ma e rg r ig Br l stnn n to ( 3 - a 4 )
6 . . n s he oe e iin k r e a dn ao' e i ain. DE 8 4 t 0 .
Br o ha no pe s
al s
r onalknowl
edget he wast mi t f a r s ot t t esa e
hat
er naed or ny ea on her han hos tt d
i M s Lang' J y3,201 lte.( 38- a 33)
n .
s ul
2, etr DE 4 t .
Fi ly,f a l a tt l tyea ofhi e oymen wih Spii,t onl r i n i
nal or t e s he as
r
s mpl
t t
rt he y esde tal
a es Br l pr ded t Spii was 302 Li hous Drve Pal Bea h Ga de ,Fl i
ddr s ao ovi
o rt
ght e i , m
c
r ns orda,
3 41 . DE 3 - a 4 ) S iis n Br l h s2 2 W - t ta a d e s Br l r c ie ta W 3 0 ( 8 4 t 0 . prt e t ao i 01 2 o h t d r s; ao e ev d h t
2 an us d i t f l hi 201 t x r t ns a ong w ih hi 2011 y z end i s m entac ount
d e t o ie s
2 a e ur , l
t s
ea nve t
c
sae
ttment(sue i 201 , hi 2011ce tunin ye re i ees i omesae nt (
is d n 2) and s
rdi- o a -nd ntr t nc
ttme . DE
38- a 6164)
3t - .
II.
A nal s
vsi
A . Sum m a y J m e St nda d
r udg nt a r
S mmayj d me ti a p o raei temo a ts o t t h r i n g n i ed s u e
u r u g n s p r p it f h v n h ws ha t ee s o e u n ip t
o maeilfc a t mo a i e tte t j d me a a matro lw.Fe R.Ci.P.
f tra a t nd he v nt s n ild o u g nt s
te f a
d.
v
5 a .l t r i age nediput a t a maera fct,t eS tbeviwe i t lg
6() f hee s nui s e s o ny t il a s hos û
mos
e d n he iht
mo tfvoa l t t no mo i gp ry. Ric v De t a o, 5 U. 5 7 58 ( 0 )(iig
s a r be o he n v n a t ' c i . s e n 5 7 S. 5 , 6 20 9 ctn
'
f
Scot v Ha rs 55 U. 37 380(
t . r i, 0 S. 2,
2007).Theei onl age neis off tf ti whe
) r s y nui sue ac or ral n
t r c d,t ken as a w hol ,w oul ç e d a r t ona ti r of f c t fnd f t no ovi
he e or a
e
d ça
l
ai l re
a t o i or he nm ng
pat ' 1 ( tng Mat s t Elc.l .Co.v Ze t Radi Cop. 475 U. 574,587
ry.' d. cii
su hia e ndus
. nih
o r ,
S.
( 986).
1 )
!
B. Count1:FM LA I e f r e
nt re enc
f
Spii' moton i de ed a t Count 1 be us t r i a genui f c ua diput
rts
i s ni s o
ca e he e s
ne a t l s e
r r ng whehe Br o wasde ed a FM LA be h t whih he wa e ild.Sti l v.
ega di
t r al
ni n
nef o c
s ntte rckand
WatrItrc & Se rBd.239F. 11 1 7( t Ci. )
e ' l/ç we ,
F .
3d 99, 206- 11h r 2001.
An e oyee s e ng FM LA l ve Gmus c muni a e t r a on f l ve t t
mpl
e ki
ea s t om
c t he e s or ea o he
e oye ' t es t e pl r ar dy knows t tt e oye ha a FM tA- ppr d
mpl r' <
- unl s he m oye lea
ha he mpl e s n
a a ove
ra o f rla e'fe v US Se lCop. 45 F.Ap x 8 4,8 ( 1h Ci.2 2 (iig
e s n o e v . e . . te r , 0
'
p' 3 37 1 t r 01 ) ctn
7
b i pe r es I c, 2 . 3 9 38 1 t r 20 5 ) As o ie y 9
x
3
cr zv pu l su ru a k t, n .4 8y.d 1 7 ,1 5( lh ci. 0 ). pr vd db 2
u
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.
.
r he a e o e s e la e d et aq aiyng ra o frwhih t e ly r
wl n n mply e e ks e v u o u l i e s n, o
f
c he mpo e
!
(
'
7
)
.
has pr vi l pr vi d t e oye FM lA- ot t lave,t empl e mus
e ousy o de he mpl e
w pr eced e
he
oye
t
s c fc l r f r e et r t qualf ng r as f la or t nee f FM LA
pe iialy e e enc ihe he
iyi e on or e ve
he d or
e nf r ton l t
onsde ed
l a Cali i çsck' w iho pr di m or i o m a i wilno be c i r
e ve. lng n çi ' t ut ovi ng
i
'
)
)
sfiin n tc t tig ra e ly rso lj to st e teAc. ee o e wil
ufce t oie o rg e n mpo e' biain md r h tTh mply r l
'
bee c e t obt n a a tona r quied l or ai t ough i or a me .
xpe t d o ai ny ddii l e r nf m ton hr
nf m l ans An
, q si
e oye ha a oblga i t r pond t a e pl rs ue tons desgne t
mpl e s n
i ton o es
o n m oye
i d o
de e m i whe he a a e e i potntaly FM LA- lf ng.
t r ne
t r n bs nc s e i l
qua iyi
.
2
.
l
f
è
1 Thus whie a e oye ne d notex e sy mento t FM LA , m us pr d (4 tl s
d.
, l n mpl e e
pr s l
i n he
he
t ovi e ;; ea t
a
'
(
.
ve ba notc s fc e t ma t empl rawar ofbot t ne f quaiy ng l a a
r l ie uf i nt o ke he
oye
e
h he ed or lf i e ve nd
l
i
isa tcp tdtmiga dd rto 'Le 4 0F. p' a 8 6 (iig2 C. R. j8 53 *)
t niiae i n n u ain. e 5 Ap x t 3 ctn 9 F. j 2 .01
'
l
)
to e s he
oyee una e t
bl o
a 825. b).Noi ma i l 't a a condii n r nder t em pl
nd
303( ) tce y ncude th t
:
pef r t f cinso t j b'o û eh rt e ly e. .su e tec n iungc r o
ro m he un to f he o ' r t t e he mpo e . i nd r h o tn i ae f
wh
l
t
a h at c r p o ie . 2 C. R. j 8 .0 49. Uli tl t s fi in y of n tc
e l ae r vd r' 9 F.
h
'
253 31
tmaey, he u tce c
oie
:
tt
)
de ndson t f c s a cic sa es ofea h i vi lc e. Es rba v.Fose Pou ty
pe
he a t nd r um t nc
c ndi dua as y, c i
tr
lr
Fa ms 7 ?F. p . d 1 4 ,1 6 ( D. l2 1 (iig2 C. R. 8 5.0 ().
r , 9 Su p 2 1 7 1 0 E. Ca . 01 ) ctn 9 F. j 2 3 3 a)
'
:
;
)
7
S rtag e t a ii e tte t s
pii r u s h t t s n i d o umma yj dg n b c u eBr l ( )fie t n tf
l
r u me t e a s ao: 1 ald o oiy
Spii ofhi ne f ra tona FMLA l ve;( f l t pr deSpii wih ane a ton
rt s ed o ddii l
ea 2) aied o ovi
rt t
xplnai
ofwha ç ei medialc to 'meied t sextnson;( a rf e t pr vi t
t l rous
s
c ondiin' rt hi e i 3) nd e usd o o de he
me c li onnai nec s r f Spii t a ove hi rques.Br l countr t the:1
dia nf ton esay or rt o ppr
s e t ao
e s ha
)
noiid S ii o ten e f rF LA la e a d2 e p an dtera o sf rt en e e la e
tfe prt f h e d o M
e v , n ) x lie h e s n o h e d d e v
s a t alow Spii t de e m i i t l ve qua ii unde FM LA,asr r by 29 C. R.
o so l
rt o t r ne f he ea
lfes
r
equied
F.
j8 301b) TheCour wila es e hofSpii' agumensi t n.
25. ( .
t l ddr s ac
rts r
t n ur
Faiur t pr de notc
l e o ovi
ie
Spi i fr t a gues t t Br l di notnotf Spii t the nee d FM LA l a Ra he ,
r t is r
ha a o d
i y rt ha
de
e ve. t r
Spii agues Br l de te l i l wihAena,Spii' t r pat la ad nitao .(
rt r , ao al xcusvey t t
rts hid- ry e ve mi srtr DE
38- a 1 1 .Addii ly,Spii ague ,Brl hi el co e t t he bele hi
4 t 3- 4)
tonal
rt r s ao ms f nc ded ha
ived s
FM LA ext nsons w e e ç ut a i ' a l as he ke s itng m e ca r or , r t r
e i
r t om tc' s ong
a
pt ubm ti
di l ec ds a he
t s t nghehadt rquet ( 38- a 1 .
han omehi
o e s. DE 4 t 6)
l a e sng t sa g e ,t Cour be nsby notng t twhie undiput r or
n ddr s i hi r um nt he
t gi
i ha
l
s ed ec d
e de e i c t s t tBr o m a ha i taly de tonl w ih A e na c
vi nc ndi a e ha al
y ve nii l al y t
t once ni hi FM LA
r ng s
l a a s f oc r d s ty be or M a 4,201 whe Br l s FM LA la was s tt
e ve, hit cure horl f e y
2, n ao'
e ve
e o
e r Br l te t d wih physc a s a ssa ,Pa rc a Tuc r al teve y we k;he s w
xpie. a o r a e t
i i n' s it nt tii
ke , mos
r
e
a
he on Aprl27,201 a whih tme s i c t d he coul r t n t wor on M ay 5,201 .
r
i
2, t c i he ndia e
d e ur o
k
2
( 3 - a 1 ) Aen , e migy, waet a t swa Brl srtr t wo k d t,nsnltd
DE 8 4 t 8 . t a s e n l a r h t hi s ao' eu n o r ae i t ce
Br o t c a t Spii' HR de rme t dic s hi j saus a û
al o ontc rts
pa t nt o sus s ob tt nd t he wa t
how
so
pr e ' ( 38- a 2) Br ocontndst thes kewih M s Langprort M ay4,201
oce d. DE 4 t . al
'
e ha
po
t .
i o
2.
( 384a 2) Tee
De - t . lphoner or rfe t tBrl plc d c lst Aggi La Spii' Le ve
ec ds eld ha ao a e al o
e ng, rts a
Coor naor on Aprl2,1 and 30,201 and agan on M ay 1, 201 ( 384 a 2)DE 49di t ,
i
9,
2,
i
2. DE - t
8
1 ;DE 4 - 5 . ao' c l t M s La g o Ap i 3 ,2 2 lse nn miu e .( 49 1
4
9 1 ) Br l s al o . n n rl 0 01 , a td ie n t s DE -4;
DE 49- DE 49- 7a 6)
15;
1 t .
On Aprl30,201 M s.Tuc rf xed M s Lang a sa usi t f m ofadocorsnot
i
2,
ke a
.
tt n he or
t ' e
sai t Br l wa unde he c r f r i r a e l m bos c aldics wih r c o t
t tng hat a o s
r r a e o s ni t d u
he
ar
s
t adiul pahy
fo 3 2 1 . ( 49 1 ;DE 49 1 ) M s La g d ne rc i n a ydo u nsfo M ac
r m // 25 DE - 5
,
- 6 . . n e is e evig n c me t r m rh
2 2 u tlM a 4,2 2 fo a y p ysca te tn Brl ( 4 - 9 a 1 ) Ms La g
01 n i y 01 , r m n h iins r aig ao. DE 9 1 t 5 . . n
i tuced Br l t c l hi s r ior Rob Co e u;Br o di butM r Coni a nev
nsr t
ao o a l s upe v s s
ni vea
al d,
.
eve u er
rt nedBr o' c l ( 38- at2- .Br o,ha ng difculygetngana we fom Spii
eur
al s al. DE 4
3) al vi fi t ti
ns r r
rt
a o twh thsj b sau wa ,tid c li Aenat d tr nete sauso h sFM LA la
b u a i o tt s s re al
ng t o eemi h tt f i
e ve
a d hi j b.( 384 a 3 .Ho ve,be a s Aen n ve rtr e h sc l,a d b c u e
n s o DE - t ) we r c u e t a e r eu n d i al n e a s
Aena ha pr vi l i tu e hi t c muni t wih M s La goi f a d,Br l
t
d e ousy nsr ctd m o om
cae t
. ng ng onv r
ao
b le e h wa n w t d a wi S ii c n ennga dto a la .DE 384 a 3 . n e d
eiv d e s o o e l t prt o c r i d iin l e ve (
h
- t ) ld e ,
t Cour not st tAet sM ay 7,201 lte t M r Br l c im st tBr o wa core t
he
t e ha
na'
2, e tr o . a o onfr ha al s r c
i hi bele :çl you a e unabl t r t t wor on M a 7,201 pl a e c a t Spii
n s i f tf
r
e o e um o
k
y
2, e s ontc
rt
r g r n y u j b saus a d be eis' ( 4 - ) I i u d s ue t a Br l h d FMLA
e adig o r o tt n n ft. DE 9 2 . t s n ip td h t ao a
'
l a r mai ng; i d,a t tm e of hi t r i ton,he us 9. we ks a ha a
e ve e ni
ndee t he i
s e m na i
ed 20 e nd d
rman n 2.0 we k a albl t e t e 1 we k alwe u d rFM LA.DE 4 - )
e ii g 8 e s v i e md r h 2 e s lo d n e
a
( 9 1.
Thus t r i e de i t r c d t t Br o di no dea e l i l wih Aena
, he e s vi nce n he e or ha : al d t l xc usvey t
t
r r ng hi FM LA l ave;he ha be n i c ac wih M s La durng t c s ofhi
ega di
s
e
d e n ont t t
. ng i he our e
s
FM LA l a and had gi n he sausu t s A e i t c e Br l t c ac Spii' HR
e ve
ve r t t pda e ; ma nsnzt d a o o ont t rts
d a t e be or hi FM LA l ve e r d t dee ne ho he was t pr e 4 Br l
rm nt f e s
ea xpie o tnni
w
o oc edi ao
ep
4A c or ngt M s Lang,i herfveye sa l veadm i srton m a r Aenahadpr vi l die e
c di o .
n
i
ar s ea
nita i
nage, t
e ousy rctd
e lyesu a l t rtr t wo kt c na tS iidiety ( 4 1 a 1 )
mpo e n be o eun o r o o tc prt rcl. DE 9-9 t 7 .
c a t d M s La afe r c vi t ti tu ton;a Ae nam e i lz d t sdieci i a
ont c e
. ng tr e ei ng ha nsr c i nd t
morai e hi r tve n
lt
eter.
The e i a s r c d e de e t t whie Br l beleve hi FM LA e e i we e
r s lo e or vi nc ha , l a o i d s
xtnsons r
a t ai a nots m ehi he ha t r ques,t i onnaton he c e he c
u om tc nd
o t ng
d o e t he nf
i
ont nds
onve d t
ye o
,
q
M s La w a s fcintt puthe on notcet the s
. ng s ufi e o
r
i ha
oughta FM LA l ve e e i W he
n
ea xt nson.
n
'
. ke
y
2, e ule n r t r nai n ha
Br l ' ne a i m e wih M s Tuc ron M a 4,201 r s td i he de e mi to t t
a o s xt ppo nt nt t
i
heco dno rt t wor o M a 5,2012,Br ocont
ul t eum o k n y
al
adedM s La ( 38- a 2- 1
. ng. DE 8 t 3, 8,
.
.
.
;
)
(
'
,
t
)
t
(
)
1 .5M s ta c
9)
ec l f he poke wih Br o on M a 4,201 , butphone r c ds
t al
y
2
e or
. -ng nnnotr ali s s
i c t t tBr l di i e pl e a c lt M s La s die tlne t tl sed t m i e .
ndia e ha a o d, nde d, ac
al o . ng' r c i ha a t wo nut s
*
.
j
( 49- 6,DE 49- 7a 6,8;DE 49-1 DE 49- 9a 30)
DE 1
1 t
8;
1 t .
l
Ac or ng t Br l dtrng t rt mi e c
c di o ao, li hei wo- nut onve s tons c ime t tM s La
r a i he onfr d ha
. ng
(
f
r eved M s Tuc r sdocor sno e me ora i ng herdetr i ton,whih sa e çse g
ec i
. ke '
t ' t
m ilzi
e m na i
c t t d, l r e
.
(
.
Br o i silundermycaef henitd L- dicc ( t r c opahy,ls s e t y a
al s tl
r or r ae 5 s wihj adiul t a t e n oda nd
ma not rt n t wor untlnexteva 5 111 5 ( 49- . Brl c e t t t y
y
eur o k i
l / /2. DE 6) ao ontnds ha he
'
:
.
)
dic s d wha wasi t not ,i l ng t f ctt tBr l c d notr t n t wor untl
s us e
t
n he e ncudi he a ha a o oul
e ur o
k i
è
(
'
atrhi ne a i me ,whihwasM a 11 201 ( 38- a 1 1 .M s La c e
fe s xt ppont nt c
y , 2.DE 4 t 7, 9) . ng ontnds
.
1
è
t t whie s r ce ve t docors not i wa ilgi e a s as um e i ha t do wih
ha
l he e i d he t ' e, t s le bl nd he s d t d o
t
I
L
Bral sr t ' t wor on M a 5,201 6( 49- 9 a 1 ) The Cour nots t ta lte
o' eul o k
n
y
2. DE 1 t 7 .
t e ha etr
:
t
l
q
)
.
(
prpardbyM s. ngi Fe uay201 i l t c entoft M a 4,201 not ( 49e e
La n br r
3 ncuded he ont
he y
2 e DE
l a 1 .Br o, contndst tt ydicusedt c e soft not,ar t tifs
9, t 7) al who e ha he s s he ontnt he e gues ha t he
i
.
)
wo dn' ha be n a et radi,lwoul hopes woul t lmes c dn' r di. (
ul t ve e bl o e t
d
he
d el
he oul t ea t' DE
'
)
.
j
q
.
uAc di t Br o,hi wasnott fr tconve s to hehadwih M s La r r ng hi FM LA l ve;he
cor ng o al t s
he ls
r ain
t . ng ega di s
ea
y ne ss ec l dhi eryo i hi la et fn o thssa .DE384a 2 )
o tnd h al m al n n s e v o id u i tms (
e
- t 0.
=M s La g r c i e fo Aen n tfc to t a Br l sFM LA l a ee pie o Ma 4 2 2 ( 4 - 9 a
. n e e v d r m t a o iia in h t ao'
e v x r d n y , 01 . DE 9 1 t
j)
5.
10
l
!
.
38- a 1 . Evi ei c tst tBr l r-a dt May4,201 docorsnot onM a 7,
4 t 9) denc ndiae ha ao efxe he
2, t ' e
y
201 ( 49- .Phoner or i c t t thecaledM s Langt cet day.( 49- 8)
2. DE 6)
ec ds ndiae ha
l
.
wi hat
DE 1 .
Brl as c ne dst a hes o ewihM s La g s mei ao n M a 1 2 2 (
ao lo o tn h t p k t . n o tme r u d y 4, 01 . DE
38- a 5) Br o' phone r or s
4 t . al s
ec ds uppor t s c enton;t s
t hi ont i hey ugges t the s
t ha
poke wih
t
s e c li fom Spii' HR lne hecon e i wa M s La --on M ay 1 201 f
om one a lng r
rts
i t nds t s . ng
0, 2, or
fve m i es t the made t ca l lsi appr m a ey 1 m i e e h on M a 1 201
i
nut ; ha
wo ls a tng
oxi t l
nut ac
y 5, 2,
one t M s Lang' numbera 0 t t numbe ofa Spii lave an ys ;a t the ha
o .
s
nd ne o he
r
rt e
al t nd ha
d
m a t o phone c l t M s La on M a 1 , 201 w hi h l t d f s x m i es a o
de w
als o . ng
y 6
2, c as e or i nut nd ne
mi t r peci l ( 49- 7a 6,7,DE 49- 8 .
nue,es tvey.DE 1 t '
1)
A f t diput e ssa
acual s e xit boutt s fce y oft notc Br l pr ded Spii.The
he ufi inc
he ie ao ovi
rt
diput c nt s on whehe Aet i tu ed Br o t de wih Spii die ty i he ne ded
s e e er
t r na nsr ct
al o al t
rt r c l f
e
f rher FM LA l ve.Br l c e - a phone r c ds s
ut
ea
a o ont nds nd
e or uppor- t he c muni t
t hat
om
caed
w ih M s La durng t c s ofhi FM LA l ve;he con e t tM s.La was a a e
t
. ng i he our e
s
ea
t nds ha
ng
w r
t the coul notr t n t wor on M a 5,201 due t hi ongoi me c te t e .She
ha
d
e ur o
k
y
2,
o s
ng di al r a m nt
c e t ts wasnot The e i e de t tM s La wasf xe doc orsnot on Aprl
ontnds ha he
. r s vi nce ha
. ng
a d t ' es
i
3 201 a M a 4,201 t ls e Br o' m e c lcondii M s Lang dipu e t ts
0, 2, nd y
2, hat i t d al s di a
ton; .
s t s ha he
r e ve t Aprl30 not a c endss c d notr ad t M a 4 not alhough s lt r
ec i d he i
e nd ont
he oul
e he y
e, t
he a e
i l ded t c ent oft M a 4 not i a lte .Uli ael diput sofm ae ilf tce l
nc u
he ont s he y
e n e tr tm t y, s e
tra ac lary
e sa
xi t boutt s tc e y of t notc Br o pr de Spii t t whe vi
he ufi i nc
he i e al ovi d rt ha ,
n ewed i t lght
n he i
mos fvoabl t Br o,prcl s
t a r e o al e ude ummayj
r udgmen ont sis
t hi sue.
Faiur t e pl n s rousme calc ton
l e o x ai e i
di ondii
Spii' s ond a gum e i t Br l f ie t pr de Spii wih a e a to of
rts ec
r
nt s hat a o al d o ovi
rt t n xplnai n
hi medialc to ort m e ca ne es iy f a nee FM LA l a
s
c ondii n he di l c st or ny ded
e ve.
I c le ng t s fcincy of t i or i n Br l pr ded, Spii doe no
n hal ngi he ufi e
he nf mato
ao ovi
rt s t
add e s t doc ors not M s La r ceved on M a 4,201 Rahe ,Spii f us s on t
r s he t '
e . ng e i
y
2. t r
rt oc e
he
not M s La r c ve on M ay 1 201 whi h sae t tl r n ay r t n t s or
e . ng e ei d
4, 2, c t td ha i ge l e ur o v k
se
52 /2 @ l td d t r d c sh d l t a c mmo aep ysc lt ea ,l t g l tdt
/ 0 1 i e uy; e u e c e ue o c o d t h ia h rpy i i i e o
mi
f n mi
2 ls Avoi rpeii be ngsoopi '( 4 - DE 4 - 9a 1 ,1 )7 S iiag e t a
0b
'
9 1 t 5 8 . prt r u s h t
d e ttve ndi /t ng. DE 9 7;
.
t snot i i ufk intbe us i smpl lse physc lr srci ,butdi no i ntf a
hi e s ns t e
ca e t i y it d
i a e ti tons
d t de iy ny
m e c co ton or a o he m e c i o m a i Howe r t M a 4,201 doc ors
dial ndii
ny t r dial nf r ton.
ve , he y
2, t '
not whi h M s La conc dess r ei d,i l
e, c
. ng
e
he ec ve ncudes i or ton s fcentt notf Spii
nf ma i ufi i o iy rt
ofBr l s m e ca c to a he nit d dic wih r diul t
ao' di l ondii n
r a e s t a c opahy a we la t f ctt t
s l s he a ha
r h. f
Br o wassilunde hi m e c lpr ttonersc e a d ha be n s nc e r y M a c 'l M s.
al
tl
r s di a acii ' ar , n d e i e a l
La c d notr d i,ass c ends t r i e de i t r c d s
ng oul
ea t
he ont , he e s vi nce n he e or uggesi t ts had
tng ha he
t opporuniy t a k Br o or hi doc or f r c a ii a i or a tona i onna i See
he
t t o s
al
s t s o l rtc ton
ddii l nf
ton.
ge r l Br
ne al umbal gh v Camel Car Ce er,I . 427 F. 99 1 (t Ci.2005)
y
ou .
ot e nt s nc,
3d 6, 004 6h r
(mpl s who rceve i or i fom e oye s docor t tt y de m i ufiint
e oyer
e i nf maton r
mpl e'
t s ha he e ns fce
s o l s e ca iiain fo ted co) Ad iin ly t eei e ie c t a s ewa a l t
h ud e k lrfc to r m h o tr. dto al, h r s vd n e h t h s be o
r dt noe.( 49- 9,a 1 .Thee i as e de t ts wa fxe asmia docors
ea he t DE 1 t 7) r s lo vi nce ha he s a d i lr t '
no e e n bef e t n,on Apr l30,201 alhoug s diput t t s r c ve i,t ta s
t ve
or he
i
2, t
h he s es ha he e ei d t ha l o
?An e oye c
mpl r annotbeexpe e t co l t ta empl er quesedFM LA l whe a e oye
ctd o ncude ha n
oye e t
eave n n mpl e
phonesi Ssck'orpr desdoc o ' noesSf uns iid aime s'Andr wsv CSX Tr p.l ,737F.
n ti ' ovi
t rs t tor pecfe l nt.
'
e .
ans , nc.
S p 2 1 4 ,1 5 ( D. l. 01 )Ho v r i Brl sc s , t teAp i3 , 01 a dMa 4 2 2
u p. d 3 2 3 2 M. Fa 2 0. we e,n ao' ae boh h rl 0 2 2 n y , 01
docorsnotss cii t aim e :ahenit d dicw ihr cul t
t ' e pe fed he l nt
r a e s t adi opahy.
8Thec e ofanotc by a e pl t a e pl rm ayi ude(whet t e pl e . . . i unde t
ontnt
ie
n m oyee o n m oye
ncl t her he m oye
s
r he
c ni igc r o ah at c r p o ie. 2 C. R. 8 5.0 (
o t n ae f e l ae r vd r' 9 F. j 2 3 31
nu
h
'
$.
i ude i or ton a Brl scondii ( 49- 5)DE 49- 9 a 15 .Eve i,asM s
ncl d nf mai bout ao'
ton. DE 1
1 t ) nf
.
La c ends s be i d t not ha bee Br o' m edialpr ttoner r l a i hi
ng ont , he leve he e d
n al s
c
acii
e e sng m
ba k t wo k on M a 5,201 M s La woul silha ne ded t kno wha i s i i or r
c o r
y
2, . ng
d tl ve e
o w
t t ad n de
t de e nei he wa m e c l cla ed t r ur t wor
o t nui f
s di aly e r o et n o k.
A f c ua diput exit ab twheherBr l pr ded Spii wih a e a i ofhi
a t l s e s s ou
t
a o ovi
rt t n xplnaton
s
s rousmedialc ton.Evi nc e sst tSpii r e ve t docor snot swih Br o'
ei
c ondii
de e xit ha rt ec i d wo t ' e t al s
medialco ton lse on i.Spii c endst ti di notr ceve t frta co d not
c
ndii it d
t rt ont
ha t d
e i he is nd ul
r d t s ond.
ea he ec
Howe r e de e e sss
ve , vi nc xit ugge tngt tM s La wasa et r a t not
si ha
. ng
bl o e d he e.
Br o alo c e
al s ont nds t t he dic s d t co e s of t s ond not wih M s La
ha
s us e he ntnt
he ec
e t
. ng.
Uli el diput s of m a e i f t e s a t whehe Br o pr de Spii wih a
tmat y, s e
t ral ac xit bou
t r al ovi d
rt t n
expl aton ofhi s i m e c lc ton t t whe vi
an i
s erous di a ondii ha , n ewed i t lg mos f vor bl t
n he i ht t a a e o
Br l, r cu es mmayj d me t nt i is .
ao p e ld u r u g n o hs sue
J Faiu et pr vd f rh rme ia i o mat n
. lr o o ie u te dc l n r i
f
o
Spii' t r ar
rts hid gume i t tBr o r f e upon r ques by M s Lang,t pr de
nt s ha al e us d,
e t
.
o ovi
f rhe m edi ali br a i t a l spii t s t i e hi FM LA l ve. spii,asBr o'
ut r
c nf m tong o low
rt o ubsantat s
ea
rt
al s
e oye ,ha t rghtt s ek i or i fom Br l t detr i i hi l ve wasFM LAmpl r d he i o e nf maton r
a o o e m ne f s ea
qua i yi Br l a Spi i' e pl e,had a oblg ton t pr t i or a i ne es a y
lf ng; a o, s r ts m oye
n i a i o ove he nf m ton c s r
t deemi whehe hi a e wa pot tal FM tA- iyi 29 C. R.jj825. 4)
o tr ne t r s bs nce s enily v qualf ng.
F.
301a
a 8 303( .
nd 25. b)
The Cour not s howe r t t Spi i' del y i s ki t s i or aton 30 da
t e,
ve , ha
rt s a n ee ng hi nf m i
ys
a t Br l ga M s La notce t t he w as a e t r t t w or - nm s a oul of Br l s
fer a o ve . ng i ha
bl o e unz o
k
f
a o'
9Atlas onec thasde em i d t n a e pl rsr ques f m edi c riia i purua t t FM LA i
e t
our
t r ne ha n m oye ' e t or
cal e tfc ton s nt o he
s
sr e de t anempl rknowsa em plye sr ques f lavewaspotntaly FM LA elgi e. e v
tong vi nce hat
oye
n
o e' e t or e
e il
i bl Petr .
Li onT c nc ln t I .2 5F. u p. d41 , 41( D. a 2 0 )
nc l e h ia ls. nc, 5 S p 2 7 4 E. P . 0 2 .
,
13
rght unde t FM LA t be r i t t upon hi notf ng Spii t thecoul r t n t wor
i s
r he
o
ensaed
s iyi
rt ha
d e ur o k.
An e oye ' dut t r nsa e a e pl
mpl rs y o ei tt n m oyee i ti r ço e a e oye s
s rgge ed ûnc n mpl e ubmis a
t
sae n fo gi) h at c r p o i e wh c idc ts t t( e ma rt r t wo k'
ttme t r m h s e l ae r v d r ih n iae ha h ) y eu n o r .
h
'
Br mbal gh,427 F. at100 I t empl
u
ou
3d
4. f he
oyerde dest ta docor snot i i ufi e a
ci ha
t ' e s ns tcint s
a ft s -ordut c ri ton,t e pl r s ul s e c a ii a i fom t e oye s
ine sf - y e tfcai he m oye ho d e k l rfc ton r
he mpl e'
docor 1 Thi rghtt r nsa e nt i not a ol e,howe r a i c toned on t
t . d. s i o ei t t me s
bs ut
ve , nd s ondii
he
e oye s tm ey r ur t wo k a a lt t pe f m t Se s ntal f nc i of t
mpl e' i l et n o r nd biiy o ror he ts e i u tons
he
p sto h lf. Ho v Ho d o
o iin e e1' ge . n a fAm.Mf I c,3 4 F.d 23 ,2 -9 ( t Ci.2 0 )
'
g, n . 8 3 8 474 6h r 0 4 .
No eh ls,ûa n e o e ma n tbe rq ie t tk mo e la e ta n c say t
n tee s ç l mply e y o
l
e u rd o a e r e v h n e e sr o
a e s t cr um sa s f whi h la wa t ke ' whih woul çvi ae t FM LAS
ddr s he ic tnce or
c e ve s a ns' c
d t olt he
pr bii a ns i efrngwihFM LA rght.'
ohi ton gai tntre i t
i s'Hoge,384F. a 247(iai omitd)
3d t
cttons te .
He e,Spii r e ve a doct ' not fom Br l s te tng m e ca pr de on M a
r
rt ec i d
ors e r
ao' r a i
di l ovi r
y
1 201 i ca i t tBr l c d r tzn t w or on M a 20,201 çse ge m a r t n t
4, 2, ndi tng ha a o oul e lr o
k
y
2: t r
y e ur o
wo k 520 1 @ l td d t ;r d c she ue t a c mmo ae ph sc lte a y lfig
r / / 2 i e u y e u e c d l o c o d t y ia h rp , it
mi
n
lmie t 20 l .Avoi rpeii be ngsoopi ' ( 49- DE 49- 9 a 18 .Br l
i td o
bs
d e ttve ndi /t ng. DE 7;
'
1 t ) ao
c a t M s La afe s r c ve t M ay 1 201 not a whi tme M s La
ont ced . ng tr he e ei d he
4, 2, e, t ch i
. ng
a s d Br l t the s d gethi doc or t lf hi r t i tons be us t y onl w a Spii
dvi e
a o ha
houl
s t o i t s esr c i
ca e he
y y rt
wo dtk hi b c i i h we ea ç 0 p r e t'( 3 - a 4, ) Atta tme M s La g
ul a e m a k s f e r t1 0 e c n . DE 8 4 t 5 . h t i , . n
1
'
di notr ques t tBr l pr dehe wih t ft s -or d y ce tfcai t ts ne de t
d
e t ha ao ovi
r t he ine s f - ut rii ton ha he e d o
rt n hi t wor ( 49- 9 a 1 .Shedi notc ac hi untlove 30da hadpase
eur m o k.DE 1 t 9)
d
ont t m i r
ys
s d;
1 equestng, a ong o hert ngs t tBr l
i
t
hen,s s nthi a l te da ed J
he e
m e t r t une 14,2012,0 r
m
t
hi , ha a o
1 Alhought lte wasdae J l , 201 i i undiputd t tBr l di notr cevet l t u iJ 21
0 t
he e tr
td une 4
2, t s
s e ha ao d
e i he eter ntl une ,
2 2.DE49 1 a 5.n e d teCout oe ta S iidi n t itelte uniJ nel , 01 .DE 4 - 1
01 (
- l t ) ld e ,h
r n ts h t prt d o malh etr tl u 8 2 2 ( 9 1
a 5.
t)
14
ha hi physcin compl t a ft s -ordut quesi maie i or rt û s s yo a lt t
ve s
ia
e e ine sf - y
tol r n de o ' e s ur biiy o
as
pef t e s nta fmci ofyourposto '( 49- 1a 1.
ronn he s e il t tons
iin. DE 1 t )
'
Thi deay i pr e a i whie Spii wasnotr quie t r nsae Br l t es he
s l s oblm tc; l
rt
e r d o ei t t a o ml s
c ul p ro m hi e s nilj b f n to s i wa p o i td fo ma i Br l tk mo e
o d ef r s se ta o ' cin , t s r hbie r m kng ao a e r
u
FM LA l ve t ne e s r M s La s J
ea han c s a y. . ng' une 1 201 lteri caes t ts c d no
4, 2, e t ndi t ha he oul t
s
make a dee m i ton a
tr na i bout whehe Br l c d pe f m t e s i l f i of hi
t r a o oul ror he s enta unctons
poston un i Br l fle outt tt s -o - y c rik a i a tc d t t lte .Howeve ,
ii
tl a o ild
he ine sf rdut e tt ton ta he o he et r
r
snc M s La de a d s ndi t f t Br o ove 30 da ,he i c i ca e Br l t
i e . ng l ye e ng he onn o al
r
ys r na ton us d ao o
t m or FM LA l a t or l ave t n ne es a y t a es t c r um s anc s f w hi h
ake
e
e ve l e e
m
ha
c s r o ddr s he ic t e or c
l a wa t ke 'whi t FM LA pr bis Hoge,38 F. a 2 Ha ng nothea d fom
e ve s a n,
' ch he
ohi t .
4 3d t 47. vi
r r
M s La g o t es pe vs rhec le t fn o th sj b sausa M s La g' i sr cin Ro
. n , r h u r io
ald o i d u i o tt t . n s n tu to , b
Corive u, al rti dc el( 38- a 23- .
re a Br o eane ouns .DE 4 t 24)
Thus whe Br l r c ve M s.La s lte on J 21,201 whi h r quese a l
, n ao e ei d
ng' e tr
une
2c e td 1
docume a i be pr de by Jme 22,201 t ne da - Br l sco ms l Gi Cadoga
nt ton
ovi d
t
2, he xt y
a o' t e , na
n
pr vi d M s La wih a l te notf ng he t ts r pr en ed Br l a r quesi M s.
o de
. ng t e tr iyi
r ha he e es t
ao nd e tng
La go S ii' c u s lc n a th rt d s u sBrl ' j b saus ( 4 - 2 . a lte as
n r prts o n e o tc e o ic s ao s o tt .DE 9 1 ) Th t e tr lo
r quese a ext i oftme wihi whi t r pond t M s La sJ 1 201 r ques
e t d n enson i
tn
ch o es
o . ng' une 4, 2, e t
f me ca i onnai ( 38- a 57- DE 38- a 26- 30- ) M s La di not
or di l nf ton. DE 3 t 59;
4 t 27, 31. . ng d
rs
e pond t Br l s c
o a o' ouns l i t d,on J 25,201 M s.La c le Br l a l f a
e ; nsea
une
2,
ng al d ao nd e t
voiemai sai t tBrl haduntlJ 29,201 t rs
c l ttng ha ao
i une
2, o e pond t Spii.( 38- a 56;DE
o rt DE 3 t
38- a 26- 30- ,32, 4;DE 49- 9a 30)
4 t 27, 31 371 t .
On J 28,201 Br o' c
une
2, al s ouns s nt M s Lang a t r l te r quesi t ts
el e
.
no he et r e tng ha he
c a he t dic s whet r Spii wo d a omm oda e Br l s physca r src i a
ontct r o s us
he
rt ul cc
t ao'
i l e titons nd
15
a ki i t e e i M s La mentoned i her voiema lr l t t t tm e by whih
s ng f he xtnson . ng
i
n
c i e aed o he i
c
Br o had t s nd t m e ca i or ai o t tme by whih Br o ha t r t n t wor
al
o e he di l nf m ton r he i
c al d o e ur o
k.
( 49- ) M s.
DE 13 . Langrceve t elte sbutdi notc ac Brl scouns .DE 49- 9a
e i d hes etr
d
ont t ao'
el(
1 t
30) Tha da howe ,Ms.La agan c l Br l t rmi hi oft J 29 de dlne.
. t y,
ver
ng i aled ao o e nd m he une
a i
( 3 - a 31 3 ) S e c le hi a an o J n 29 2 2 t rmid hm o t d a ln .
DE 8 4 t , 9 . h ald m g i n u e , 01 , o e n i f he e d ie
( 38- a 31 39) M s La tnni t Brl onJ y3,201 ( 49- 4;DE 49- 9a 3)
DE 4 t , . . ng e naed ao ul
2.DE 1
1 t .
A f t ldiput e ssa
acua s e xit boutBr l satemptt ge m e c lr c dst Spii.The e i
ao' t
o t di a e or o rt
r s
e de i t r c d t t net r Br l nor hi c
vi nce n he e or ha ihe ao
s ouns pr de t medialr cor t
el ovi d he
c e ds o
Spii, howe r t r i a s e de e t t t s f iur a os be us Spii- who ha
rt
ve , he e s lo vi nc ha hi a l e r e ca e
rt
d
pr vi l f ie t c muni a ewih Br o u r c i ng notfc i n t the wasr ad t
e ousy a ld o om
c t t al pon e e vi
iiato ha
e y o
te
o e ol he
r t t wor - f ie t c muni ae wih Br o' c ms i her a t m pt t r s ve t
eunz o
k a ld o om
c t t al s ot el n
s
c
n e
n he i ht
t
is Uli ael diput s of m ae il f t exi t whi h, w he vi w ed i t lg m os
s ue. tm t y, s e
tra ac
f v r bet Brl , rcu es mmayj d me to h sFM LA itree ecam ( u t1.
a oa l o ao p e ld u r u g n n i
ne frnc li Co n )
C. Count2:FM LA Re a iton
t la i
Spii' m oton i de ed a t Cou 2 be us t r i age nei s ofma e i f c
rts i s ni s o
nt ca e he e s nui s ue
t ral a t
r r ng t r as Spii uli el tr i t d Br o' e oyment
ega di he e on rt tmat y e m na e al s mpl
.
(TJ s c e do ar tl t n cam, n e l y emus d mo srt t a hse o e
t O u c e n eai i li a mp o e
I
ao
t e n tae h t i mply r
i e i l dic i na e agans hi i t f m of a a r e e oyme ac i f
ntntonaly s rmi t d
i t m n he or
n dve s mpl
nt ton or
ha ng e r s d an FM LA rght'M aac v Sch.Bd.o e ar Cn@. 6:2- 61 ORLvi xecie
i .
'
k .
fBr v d
, 1 CV- 228,201 W L 6050749,a *8( . Fl.Nov.15,201 ( tngSt c l 239F. a 1 )
3
t M D. a
3) cii rikand,
3d t 207 .
Spe ii aly, Pl i i f m us s
c te l
a ntf
t how t t û s em pl ' a tons ç e e m otva e by a
ha c
hi
oyer s c i
w r
i td
n
i r s i er ala or ordic i naor a m us'' d.l t r i no çdie evi nce oft
mpe mi sbl et it y
s rmi t y ni .'1 f he e s i r ct de
he
e oye ' i en,(ours a y t M c
mpl rs nt t c tl ppl he DonnelDou a bur n-hitng fa
l
gls de s fi rmewor ' 1
k. d.
'
Unde t sfn e k,t pli ifha t i ta bur n ofe t bls ng aprma f ci ca eof
r hi r m wor he a ntf s he niil de
sa ihi
i a e s
dic i i ton by a pr ponde anc oft e de e;t ti,t pli ifm us i sa ih f c s
s rm na i
e
r e he vi nc ha s he antf
t l tbls a t
e
a e u t t pe ta ifr n e ofds rmiain. I (iig Ho6ed v Re o 1 5 F.d
d q ae o nni n n ee c
ic i n to ' d. ctn
'
l l . n, 1 3
1 1 ( 1hCi.997).
555, 562 1 t r1 )
To ma aprma f i s ng ofFM LA rtlai a pl ntf mus e tbls ()
ke i ace howi
eaiton, ai if t sa ih: l
ta h e g g di FMLA-r tce a tvt ;()ta h wa s be tdt amaeil a v re
ht e n a e n
p oe t d ciiy 2 h t e s u j ce o tral d es
y
a ton by hi empl r nd ( a ca a c meci bewee t a tviy a t a re
ci
s
oye;a 3) us l or ton t n he ci t nd he dves
a ton.d.(ii Stikl at239 F.d a 1 . esabls aca a c me ton,apli if
ci 1 ctng rc and
3 t 207) To t ih us l or ci
antf
mus s
t how tha t pr e t d a tviy a t a r e aci we e notwholy unr lt d. f
l t he ot c e c i t nd he dve s ton r
t
l
ea e ' #.
'
(iig Smmo sv Ca e C?y.## o u .7 7 F.d 1 8 ,1 8 ( 1h Ci.98 ).t-e
ctn i n . md n 7 . fEd c, 5 2 1 7 1 9 1 t r1 5) çl
/
-h
ge r ll e i t tcl e t mpor pr miy bewee t e oyee spr ece c
ne a ' s ha os e
ul
al oxi t t n he mpl ' ot td onduc a
t nd
t a r e e pl e ac i i s fci ntcic s a i e de e t c ea e a ge ne i s
he dve s m oym nt ton s uf i e
r um t ntal vi nc o r t
nui s ue
ofm aera f c of a ca a conne ton. fabr s v Carbbean Aimai, I ,09t il a t
us l
ci '
'
ous e . i
r l nc. 23529-
CI 2011 W L 351
V,
6029,a *6 ( D.Fl Aug. 11 2011 (ii Br
t
S. a.
,
) ctng ungar v Bel t
t . lsouh
Tee omms.l ,231F. 791 799( 1h Ci.2000).
lc
, nc.
3d ,
1t r
)
I t pl ntf esabls a prm a f i c e,a pr um pton of di c i i ton ars s
f he ai if t i hes
i ac e as
es
i
s rm na i
ie ,
a t S de çhits t t empl rt a tc ae s l tmae no s i naoy
nd he t n s flj o he
bur
oye o riult ome egii t, ndicrmi tr
ra o f ri a to . Ma c , 01 W L 6 5 7 9 a * ( iigTe . p'o y. yar v
e s n' o t cins' a k 2 3
s
'
0 0 4 , t 8 ctn x De t fcmt A is .
Bu dn , 0 U. 2 , 4 ( 9 1;Mc n elDo gls Co p.v Gr e ,41 U. 7 2,8 2
r ie 45 S. 48 25 1 8 ) Do n l u a r . e n 1 S. 9 0
( 973).dl t gmpl r does s t pli if mus t n s
1 ) tf he e oyej
o, he antf
t he how t t t defnda '
ha he e nts
pr fr dr s n f t ad readin i prtxt l'1 (ii Hu l r v.&.M ay'He t
ofe e ea o or he ves
o s ee ua. d.ctng rbe t
'
r s alh
Car S .I , F.d 1 1 ( 1h Ci.
e ys, nc.439 3 286, 297 1 t r 2006).
)
Uli tl,aj r q e to e it i a p an ifc n e tb ih a p i f ce c s a d
tmaey u y u sin x ss f litf a sa ls rma a i a e n
o s le he f nda '
e de e e ss ts tc e t pe m i a r s bl f c -i
vi nc xit tufi i nt o r t ea ona e a tfnder t dibei ve t de e nts
pr f r d r as f t c le d a ton. faRoc v.De y',I ,62 F.Supp.2d 1
ofe e e ons or he hal nge c i '
'
he
nn s nc.
366,
1 ( D.Fl 1 (ii Comb v.Pl ato Pate n 1 F.d 1 9 ( t Ci.997 ,
372 S. a. 999) ctng
s
ant in tr s, 06 3 51 11h r1 )
e r. e id, 2 U. 1 4 1 8S, . 8 ,1 9L. 2 6 2( 9 8 )
e td n e 5 2 S. 0 5, 1 Ct 6 5 3 Ed.d 3 1 9 ).
Br l sFM LA r t ito cli i pr mi e u hi J y 3,2012 t r na i Spii
a o'
ealai n a m s e s d pon s ul
e mi ton. rt
a g st a ti cam mus f i be a e ( )h ne e e g g d i ap o e td FM LA a tvt
rue h t h s li
t al c us 1 e v r n a e n r tce
cii
y
wih rg r t S rt ( )hewa n te tte t j br so ainbe a ehewa n trt n
t e ads o pii; 2
s o n ild o o e t rto c us
s o eumig
fo a to ie FM LA la e a d ( ) S ii wa n tr q ie t r so e hsj b b s d o
r m uh rz d
e v ; n 3 prt s o e urd o e tr i o a e n
Br l si a iiyt p ro m hse sn il o fncin a d h srf s lt s b tafte sf r
ao' n b l o e f r i se ta j b u to s n i e u a o u mi i s-o t
n
dut ce tfc ton.
y rii a i
Br l i t n,a guest tt r i die te denc ofSpii' r t i i n a ns hi f
ao, n ur r
ha he e s r c vi e
rts ealato gai t m or
a tmptng t a i hi s l ofFM LA bene hs he wa no pe te t r t n t wor he
te i o val m e f
f :
s t nnil d o e ur o
k,
woul no havebe n pe m itd t t ke i e mit la t at nd t hi physc lt a had
d t
e r te o a nt r tent e ve o te o s
i a her py
he be n al we t r t n t wor a he wasuli t l tr d f wha Spii de m e we e
e lo d o e ur o
k, nd
tma ey i e or
t rt e d r
ç ubsa it d' a e s. r c e de e i l de e whih,i be ived,woul pr t
l
uns t nta e ' bs nce Die t vi nc s s
evi nc
c f le
d ove he
e se eo afc wihouti e e eorpr u i 'Care v.Ci o i ,870F. 578,
xitnc f a t t
nfr nc
es mpton. tr t fM ami
'
y
2d
5 15 2 ( 1h Ci. l g t ic si sa d r f r dr c e ie c i ADEA c ne t.
8 - 8 1 t r g8 ld s u sng tn ad o ie t vd n e n
o tx )
Ho ver t sa r i hi a û y t m os blt ntr m a ks whos it nt c d be
we , he tnda d s gh, nd t
onl he
t aa e r ,
e n e oul
not ngot t nt dicrmi t ... onsiut s diec e de ofdici nai 'f The
hi her ha o s i nae c tt egl r t vi nce s rmi ton. #.
'
f t Br l alege pr de die te de of Spii' r t la o y i e ,ho
ac s ao l s ovi
r c vi nce
rts e a it r nt nt weve ,a e nots
r r
o
f aan ' t tt i t nt tc d be no hi ot rt n t dic i nae.'f Ac or ngl t
t t t' ha her l en oul
bl
i
t ng he ha o s rmi t ' #. c di y, he
Cour e l t Br o' FM LA r t iton ca m usng t M c
t va uaes al s
eala i li i he Donnel Dou a fn wor
l gl s r me k.
18
Pr ec e ac iiy
ot t d tv t
To esa ih a prm a f c e c e of r t lai Br l mus frt de onsr t t t he
t bls
i
a i as
e ai ton, a o
t is m ta e ha
e ge i aci t pr t ct by t FM LA.Spii a g t tBr l sc am mus f i be us
nga d n tviy o e ed he
rt r ues ha a o' l i
t a l ca e
he was not r t i fom a horze FM LA lave.Howe ,evi nc e ss t t Br l
e um ng r
ut i d
e
ver de e xit ha ao
s
oughta e e i ofhi FM LA l a - an aci t pr ec e by t FM LA- a t the
n xt nson
s
e ve
tviy ot t d
he
nd ha
pr de M s La s t intnotce ofhi ne d f r a tonall a M or s ii ly,M s
ovi d . ng ufk e
i
s e o ddii
e ve. e pecfcal
.
La wa a et tBr o had be on FM LA snc M a c 2,201 1 bot Br o' Aprl30,
ng s war ha al
en
i e rh
2;1 h al s i
201 a M ay 4,2012 doc ors not i cae t tBr l ha bee unde Pa rci Tuc r s
2, nd
t '
es ndi t ha ao d n
r ti a
ke '
ca e snce M a c 201 f a he i t dic wih r c opahy;M s Lang kne fom t
r i
rh
2 or
m aed s t adiul t
.
w r
he
A e nanotfcai t tBr l ' l avee ie M a 4,201 1 a , c di t Br o, cal d
2;2 nd ac or ng o al he le
t
ii ton ha a o s e
xp r d y
M s Lang t di c shi doc orsnot W hie M s La ca
.
o s us s t '
e. l
. ng nnotr a li s s
ec l f he poke wih Br l
t ao
o M ay 4,201 phone r or i c t t tBr l pl c a c lt M s La sdie tlnet t
n
2,
ec ds ndi a e ha a o a ed al o . ng' r c i ha
lsed2mi t .( 38- a 2- 1 1 DE 49- 6;De49- 7a 6,8;DE 49- 8;DE 49- 9a
at
nues DE 4 t 3, 8, 9;
1
1 t
1
1 t
30)
.
Addii l Br l c ends t durng t s cal t y dic s d t con e oft
tonaly, a o ont
hat i hi l, he s us e he t nt he
no e, ncudi t f tt tBr o c d notr t n t wor un i a trhi ne a n m e ton
t i l ng he ac ha al oul
eur o
k tl fe s xt ppoi t n
M a 11 201 ( 38- a 1 1 .Brl as c e t the s
y , 2. DE 4 t 7, 9) ao lo ontnds ha
poke wih Ms.La
t
ng
s mei ao n M a 1 2 2. ( 4 - a 5 .Br l' p o e rc r s p o t t i
o tme r u d y 4, 01 DE 8 4 t ) ao s h n e o ds u p r hs
contnton;t y i c t t t he s
e i
he ndia e ha
poke wih s one c li fom Spii' HR lne he
t ome
a lng r
rts
i c e i w a M s Lang
ont nds t s .
--on M a 1 201 f r fve m i es t the m a t o ca l l s i
y 0, 2, o i
nut ; ha
de w
ls a tng
a oxi ae y 1m i eea h on M a 15,201 t M s La snum be a t t numbe ofa
ppr m t l
nut c
y
2, o . ng'
r nd o he
r
'Aen n t idM sLa gta Brl wa o me ia la ebe inn i Mac 2 2 ( 3 - a l ; 4 -9
' ta oie . n h t ao s n dc le v gn ig n rh 01 .DE 84 t 5 DE 9 1
f
a 1)
t 3.
1Aen n tfe Ms La gta Br l sF
2 ta oiid . n h t ao' MLA la ee pie o Ma 4, 01 ( 4 -9a 1 )
e v x rd n y 2 2.DE 9 1 t 5 .
Spii l ve a ys;a t the had m a t phone c ls t M s.La on M a 1 201
rt ea nal t nd ha
de wo
al o
ng
y 6, 2,
wh c lse f rsx miu e a d o e miu e r s e t ey.( 4 - 8 DE 4 - 7 a 6 7 .
ih a td o i n t s n n n t, e p ci l DE 9 1 ,
v
91 t , )
Br l and M s La s dif rng ve sons oft i c
ao
. ng' fe i
ri
he r omm uni tons coupld wih t phone
cai ,
e
t he
r or ,c e t a f c ua diput r ga dng whehe Br l e ge i pr e t d a viy.
ec ds r a e a t l s e e r i
t r a o nga d n ot c e di t
M at r al adv s ac i
ei l
y
er e ton
Unde t M c
r he Donnel Dougl fame k,Br o m us ne de onsr t t he was
l
as r wor
al
t xt m ta e hat
s be t d t a mae ily a v re a to b h s e o e .I i u d s u e t t h wa
u j ce o
tral d e s cin y i mply r t s n ip td ha e s
tr nat o J y3,201 ( 49- 4)
emi ed n ul
2.DE 1 .
Caus c
al onne ton
ci
Unde t t r a tna pr
r he hid nd i l ong,Br l m us de ons r e a c us c
ao
t m
tat a al onnec i be wee
ton t n
t a tviy a t adve s a i Spii ar
he c i t nd he
r e cton. rt gues t t Br o ca
ha al nnot s
how s h a c us l
uc
a a
c
onneci bec e Br l s i e v ni a ton- hi f itr t pr de a ft s -ordut
ton
aus
ao' nt r e ng ci
s alle o ovi
ine sf - y
c tfc ton- negaes t i e e e of ca ai t t m a ars fom tm por l pr miy.
erii a i
t he nf r nc
us ton ha
y ie r
e
a oxi t
Maac 201 W L 6050749,a * ( tngHanknsv Ai anAi a ,I ,237F.App' 51
k, 3
t 9 cii
i . rTr nvys nc.
x 3,
520 (11h Ci.2007).Brl aguest myra r s e s t i e a ca a c eci
t r
) ao r
hat id eaons xit o nfr us l onn ton
be wee hi a tmpt t t ke addii lFM LA l ave a hi tr i i i udi Spii'
t n s te s o a
tona
e
nd s e m naton, ncl ng: rts
r us t pe tBr l t r t n t wor a tr t M ay 1 201 not ;M s La sad sng
ef al o nni a o o eur o
k fe he
4, 2, e
. ng' vii
Br o t ha hi r src i lfe bec us he ha t be a 1
al o ve s e titons itd a e
d o
t 00% bef e he co d r t n t
or
ul eur o
wo k;S ii' o e 3 - a d ly i c na t Br l a o thsj b sau 'a d S rtsfiu e
r prts v r 0 d y ea n o tci
ng ao b u i o tt s n pii' alr
,
t cont Br o' counsel asr
o
act al s
, equesed.
t
A s pr vi l di c s d, Spi i' r us t c m uni a e w ih Br o' co m s l a
e ousy s us e
r ts ef al o om
c t t al s t e bout
hi r tun t wor c ea e a diput str
s et ' o
k r t s s e troundi why Spii uli ael f l t ge a ft s ng
rt tm t y aied o t ine s
f - y c rik a i fom Br o. Cour ag eeswih Br l t tafnde off c c d i e
ordut e tt ton r
al The
t r
t a o ha i r a t oul nf r
fo M s La s adi a i di f l ng he r c ptoft M a 1 , 201 not t t
rm
. ng'
ons nd na ons olowi
r e ei
he y 4
2, e ha
Br o wa tr na e f hi at mptt e agei apr ec e a tviy.
al s e mi t d or s te
o ng
n ot t d c i t
Fis,M s La c
r t . ng onve i cc a e i or ai n t Br l s s vs sabo Br l s
yed na ur t nf m to o ao' uper ior
ut ao'
r t a t n of e e t hep t m r plce Br l Afe r c vi t M ay 1 , 2012,not
e um nd he f r d o l he e a
a o. tr e ei ng he
4
e,
M s La e a ld Br l ss r ior ,i l ng Ro r Co re u, vii t tBr l c d
. ng m ie ao' upe v s s ncudi
be t r ivea ad sng ha ao oul
notr ur t wor untlhe c d r t n t f l dut i r ei d a not fom Se ge' dodo
et n o
k i
oul eur o u l y: t ec ve
1
e r
r s
r
r l sng hi t r t n t lg dut wor on 5 20/ 2 wih a r duce s hed e a m uli e
eea i
m o eur o i ht y
k
/ 1 t
e
d c ul nd
tpl
r src i .Unf t t l we do notha a lg du y pr n f non- upa i r lt d
e titons
oruna ey
ve i ht t ogr m or
occ ton ea e
ij re o ile st ee o eh wilb u a et rt r t wo k uni we rc ie a f 1 d t
nu is r l s h r f r e l e n bl o eu n o r tl e ev u1 uy
n
r las wih no r titons' ( 49- ) Thi wa t lome news one of Brl s
ee e t
esrci . DE
'
8 . s s mwec
:
ao'
s r i or s Tom m y A ndi not d t t Br l ha be o f a l tm e a a ke ,
upe v s ' ,
no, e ha
a o d en ut or ong i
nd s d
ç he c n 1ge arplce tf hi a i i puti srs on ourope ai ?' ( 49- ,
t n a
W
t e a men or m s t s tng te s
r tongl' DE 8.
DE 49- M s La a s d hi t i e e c k wih M es .I ca pr de he a
9) . ng dvie m o l as hec t
pl
iha
n ovi
r ny
doc
ument s ne . ( 49- .
s he eds' DE 5)
'
See
ond, M s La c
. ng onve d i c a e i o m a i t Br l a
ye na cur t nf r ton o a o bout w he he c d
n
oul
r t n a t n t d Br l s s r s ' he ha bee out o una ho i d lave. H e l s
e ur nd he ol a o' upe viors
d
n
n
ut rze e
r at
c
omm uni to wih Br o ha be n t the c d notr ur t wo k untlhe wa 10 %)s
cai n t al d e ha
oul
et n o r
i
s 0t he
di no con a thi a t t tc
d t t c m fer ha omm uni ton;30 da pa s d. ( 38- at 5; 49- 9,a
ca i
ys s e DE 4 4, DE 1 t
1 ) Th n o J n 1 ,2 2 M s La sn a e i t M r An io a Huma Re o r e
9 . e , n u e 3 01 , . ng e t n mal o . dn nd
n suc s
s atng $A s pr ous y di sed w ih you, M r.Br o has been out on t aut i l
t i 1
evi l scus
t
al
m horzed eave of
a e e snc 05 04/ 2 a c i
bs nc i e / 1 nd ontnuest do s . Yourt
o
o
hought?'( 49- 0)
s ' DE 1 .
A f cua diput e ss abo t r s Spii t naed Br o. A lhough Br l
a t l s e xit
ut he ea ons rt enni t
al
t
ao
ne r pr vi d a tt sf - y c rii ton, M s La i orec l t d Br l a hi
ve o de
ines -ordut e tfcai
. ng nc r ty ol
a o nd s
s pe vior t tBr o coul notr t n t wor untlhe wa r e ed wih no r titons M s
u r s s ha al
d
eur o
k i
s elas
t
esrc i ' .
,
La di notcom m uni at f t rw ih Br l t n e aie hi s r s s a r por e t t
ng d
c e urhe t a o, he m l d s upe vior nd e t d ha
heha be n outon una horze l a de piet f c t ts t d hi hecoul notr t n t
d e
ut i d e ve, s t he a t ha he ol m
d
e ur o
w o k. Fi ly, when s di co m uni a e w ih Br o, s r us d t s k w ih Br o'
r
na l
he d m
ct t
al he ef e o pea
t
al s
c
ouns l who w as w or ng on hi beha f U li a e y,di put of m a e i f c e s w hi h,
e
ki
s
l . tm t l s es
t ral a t xit c
whe ve di telg tmo tfv rbl t Br l, r cu es mma yj d me to t i is e
n iwe n h ih s a o a e o ao p e ld u r u g n n hs s u .
fe tma eNo - ic i n tr Re s wEvd n eo ee t
gii t n ds rmiao y a o ie c fpr tx
l t pl n i f e t bls a prm a f ci ca e,a pr s pton of di c i i ton a i e ,
f he ai t f s a i hes
i a e s
e um i
s rm na i r s s
a d t t u d n ûhfllt t e e ly rt a t u ae s me lg t t,n n ic i n tr
n he l r e s its o h mpo e o ri lt o e ii e o d srmi ao y
b
c
ma
ra o f risa to . M a c , 01 W L 6 5 7 9 a * (iigFc . p'o y A f r v
e s n' o t cins' a k 2 3
'
0 0 4 , t 8 ctn x De t fcmt. fais .
Bur ne,450 U. 248,25 ( 981;Mc
di
S.
4 1 ) Donnel Dou as Cor v Gr en,411U. 79 80
l gl
p. . e
S. 2, 2
( 973:. çf t (mpl r does s t pli ifmus t n s t t t def nts
1
ç he e oyel
l
o, he antf
t he how ha he enda '
pr f rdr s f t adves acin i prtxt l'f ( tngHu l r v.StM ay'He t
ofee ea on or he re to s ee ua. #. cii
'
rbe t . r s alh
Car S .I ,439F. 1 1 ( t Ci.
e ys, nc.
3d 286, 297 11h r 2006).
)
Spii ' a l ged û e tm a e,no di c i i t r r as f r i s ac i ' i t t Br l
rt s le
ç gii t
l
n- s rm na o y e on o t tons' s ha a o
f ie t s t nta e hi M a 4,201 t M a 1 201 a e s f ie t pr vi a tt s a ld o ubsa it s y
2 o y 4, 2 bs nce , al d o o de ine s
f - y ce tfc ton,f ie t e ge i t i e a tve pr e s and ha a una ho ied 60
ordut rii a i a ld o nga n he nt r c i
oc s ,
d n ut rz
rts e ons e e e ua , i e t r . ng
da a e e.1 Br l ar s t tSpii' r as ar pr t xt l s nc neihe M s La nor
y bs nc 3 a o gue ha
hi s r s r t ne hi t wor orot r s communia e wih hi des t hi a sng
s upe vior e ur d m o
k
he wie
c td t m
pie s dvii
t m t the c d r t n on M a 20, 2.
he ha
oul e ur
y
201
1 The Cour alo nots t t whie M s La g c ne d ta Brl wa utmaey tr n td fr to
3
t s
e ha
l
.
n o tn s h t ao s li tl emiae o j b
a ndonm e ' bec us çhe e wa no i er to wih hi orhi comm uni tng t the i e
ba
nt' a e ç r s
t
nt acin t m
s
cai ha
ntnded t rt n t
o eur o
wok'( 4 - 9 a 1 ,ti i smpy u tu ;Ms La g' e i t Brl ss p r ioso Jn l ,2 2
r' DE 9 1 t 2) hs s i l nr e . n s mal o ao' u evs r n u e 3 01 ,
i caest ts knew hewasr dyt r u nt wor on M a 20, 201
ndi t ha he
ea o etr o k
y
2.
k
The Cour has ar dy dicus e why Spii' r f s lt co munia e wih Br o'
t
lea
s sd
rts e u a o m
c t t al s
c ms lc e t s a diput a
ot e r a e
s e boutwhy Spii di notge t ft s -ordut c tfc ton fom
rt d
t he ine sf - y erii a i r
Br o.Spii' ot pr f r d r s nsf tnui i Br l t the f ie t s t nta ehi
al
rts her ofe e ea o or e natng a o- ha
al d o ubsa it s
M a 4, 2t M a 1 201 a e s f ie t e
y 201 o y 4, 2 bs nce , al d o ngagei t i e a tvepr e s a ha a
n he ntr c i
oc s , nd d n
una horz 60 da abs nc - m a be add e s i smia f s on. The f iur ofa ne a
ut ied
y e e
y
r s ed n i lr a hi
al e
nm
t
Spii t co muni a e wih Br l afe he a s t m of hi a lt t r t n t wor
rt o m
ct t
ao tr
dvied he
s biiy o e ur o
k
s s s t t t i pr f r d r s
ugge t ha her of e e ea ons ar pr t xt M s La co e
e ee .
. ng nt nds t t s di no
ha he d t
c muni a e wih Br o a M ay 1 201 , bec us t Jme 1 201 lte r quese t
om
c t t al her
4, 2
a e he t 4, 2, e tr e t d he
i or ton s ne de ( 49- 9a 1 20) Butt se anai i lg oft i c urt
nf mai he e d. DE 1 t 9- .
hi xpl ton, n iht he na c ae
i or ton s co ye Br o a hi s r i o s whi h a gua y ke Br o out on
nf ma i he nve d al nd s upe v s r c r bl pt al
unpai l ve f an e r m ont --coupl d wih her s
d ea or
xt a
h
e
t
ugges i c m uni to t Br o'
tve om
ca i ns o al s
s r i or a s e ntr f alt c m uni t w ih Br l s c m s l s f e t c ea e a
upe v s s nd ubs que e us o om
ea e t a o' ot e , ufk s o r t
q si n off taboutwhe he Spii' r as f tr natng Br l we epr t xt
ue to
ac
t r rts e ons or e mi i
ao r e e .
Uli ael diput of m a e i f c e s whih, whe viwe i t lght m os
tm t y, s es
t ral a t xit
c
n e d n he i
t
fv rb et t Br l,p e ldes mmayj d me to hi FMLA Reaito cam ( u t
a o a l o he ao r cu u r u g n n s
tlai n li Co n
2)
.
D * Count3.
*
ADA Dicrmi ton/
s i na i count4:
FCRA Dicrm i lonl
s i na i 4
- ..
Spii' m oton i de e a t Count 3 a 4 bec us t r i a ge ne is of
rts
i s ni d s o
s nd
a e he e s
nui s ue
m aera f c r r ng whehe Spii f ie t a co modat Br l s dia lt . To s at a
t il a t ega di
t r rt a ld o c m
e ao' s biiy
te
prm a f c e cl i f f l e t a com m oda e, t pli ifmus s
i a i a m or aiur o c
t he antf
t how t t ( )hei diabld;
ha: 1 s s e
() he i a quaii i vi l a ( he was dicrmi td a ns by wa of t
2
s
lted ndi dua; nd 3)
s i nae gai t
y
he
1 The et cl msa ea yze t t rbe aus f r ca esc t ngt ADA a ee l a iabl t
4 s wo ai r nal d ogehe c e edeal s onsrui he
r qualy pplc e o
a o
nalgouscl msunde t FCRA. Foe v M o ganSt e Smih Bar y, LLC,0: 1CVai
r he
ly . r
anly t
ne
79
1 - 62476,201 W L
3
y
2 51), t* ( D. a Ma. , 01 )(iigHol v Cl ro I d s, LLC.4 2F.d 147 1 5( 1hCi.
0 7 . a 4 S. Fl. r 4 2 3 ctn l . ais n n u .
0 08
)
, 9 3 2 , 25 1t r
de e ntsf iu et pr de ar s bl ac om moda i n.M c
f nda ' al r o ovi
ea ona e c
to
Kanev.UBS Fi Se v . I ,
n. r s, nc.
'
(
.
.
!
363F.App' 679,681( 1h Ci.201 (ii fu sv I II Gr nge ,I ,l57F. 1
x
1 t r 0) ctng ca . FZ' ai r nc.
I
3d 249,
'
ë
1 5 ( 1h Ci. 0 :.
2 5 1 t r 2 01
nt l m im nt ha
Asa i bl t t sca e,a ADA dia lt i a i hysc lorme a i par e t t
pplca e o hi s n
s biiy s û i a
p
,
s bsa tal lmisa mao lf a tvt ' Ha man v Foo Lin I c,8 3 F.Su p 1 9 ,
u tnily i t
j r ie ciiy. ys
. d o,n. 9
p. 02
.
t
t
1 0 ( D. .1 9 )(iig 2 C. R.j 1 3 .( ). p ysc li ar n k cudes tany
1 0 S. Ga 9 5 ctn 9 F.
6 02 g ) A h ia mp ime t n j
'
physol c dior orc to a f c i a i a i a ehe e,t body' mus ul ke ea
i ogial s der ondii n fe tng, s s pplc bl r he
s
c os l tl
è
l
-
1
o n u oogc ls se . 1 (iig2 C. R. 1 3 .( ). b ad sbi t, n i ar n
r e r l ia y tms' d. ctn 9 F. j 6 02 h ) To e ia l y a mp ime t
'
i
)
)
'
mus ç u sa t lylmig o o t ei i iua' mao lf a tvi e . f .(iig 2 C. R.
t l b tni l i tj ne f h ndvd ls j r ie ci t s' # ctn 9 F.
s
a
i '
t
'
Pt 1 3 , p.j 1 3 2().M ao lf a tvte ç y i cude f tons s a pe f ng
.
6 0 Ap
6 0. ) j r ie ciiis t n l unci uch s ronni
ma
)
.
)
ma ts ,waki wor ng,sti sa ng,a lfi '1 ( tng 29 C. R.Pt 1
nual a ks l ng, ki itng, tndi nd itng. d. cii
'
F. . 630,
q
)
t
App.j 1 2().i pe s i s tntal lmie i t s a tviisi,a c
630. i) û ron s ubsa ily i td n he e ci te f s ompae t a
A
rd o n
.
.
'
t
.
è
ave a pe s i t ge r lpo a i he i sgnii nty r srced as t t c ton,
r ge r on n he ne a pulton,
s i fca l e ti t
o he ondii
'
j
è
,
mn n ro d r to u e wh c hec n p ro amao lf a tvt . f .(iig 2 C. R.j
n e r u ai n nd r ih a ef nn
j r ie ciiy, # ctn 9 F.
:
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1 3 .().
6 02 j)
E
J
Spii doe no diput t t Br l i di a e , r t , Spii a g s t t Br o'
rt
s t s e ha a o s s bld' aher
rt r ue ha al s
.
(
J
)
y
?
'
(
ADA/
FCRA f i r t a c mmo aecamsc n o s r ies mmmyj d n b c u eBr l
al e o c o d t li a n t u vv u
u
u gme t e a s ao
wasnota qualfe i vi ,r f s d t e ge i t i e aci pr es ,a c
ii d ndi dual e u e o nga n he nt r tve oc s nd nnno s
t how
'
/
è
.
1
;
'
t tSpii r gar d hi asdia e Br l i ttn,a gue t thei aqua ii d i vi a
ha
rt e de m
s bl d. a o, n tr r s ha
s
lfe ndi dual nd
'
.
.
(
(
q
(
'
t tSpii c us d t br kdown i t i e aci pr s .
ha
rt a e he ea
n he nt r tve oce s
1. Ihehe Br oi aqu se i vi
' t r al s al d ndi dual
V
Spii a guest tBr l i nota qua ii i vi lbe us he c d notpe f t
rt r
ha a o s
lfed ndi dua ca e
oul
ronu he
.
!
.
.
)
e s ilfmcto ofhi j and di notde nd a s cfc a ommodai A quaiid
senta t ins
s ob
d
ma
pe ii cc
ton.
lte
i
24
;
i vi wih adiabiiy i t n i vi lwho, wih orwihoutr a ona eac m moda i
ndi dual t
s lt s i ndi dua
a
t
t
e s bl co
ton,
ca pe f m t es e i fm ci ns o t e oyme posto t t s h i vi lhol .''
n ror he s ntal t to f he mpl
nt ii n ha uc ndi dua
ds
Mc ,J63 F. x a 681( ii 42U. C.j 1 1118:.Ane oyeeS ts w et r
Kane
App' t
ctng
S.
2 4
mpl
ç
mus ho ihe
t thec np ro n t ee s nilf to so h s o wih u a c mmo ain, r fiigt a,
ha a e f n h s e ta t in f i j b to t c o d to o , al h t
mc
n
s o t a h c n p ro t e e s n il f n t ns o hs j b wi a ra o a e
h w h t e a ef nn h se ta u ci
o
f i o
t
h
e s n bl
ac
c ommodai 'I (ii Davi v.Fl Powerd Li Co.205F.d 1 ,13 ( t Ci.
ton. d.ctng
'
s a.
r ght ,
3 301 05 11h r
20 0
0 :.
Es enta f tons
s i l unc i
Es e ta fmcinsae dh fnd me tlj b d te o t e e ly n p iin te
s nil t to r t e u a na o u is f h mpo me t osto h
t
g ia ld e ly e hod o d sr s' Ha ma 8 3 F.S p a 1 01 (iig 2 C. R.
ds b e mpo e ) ls r e ie . ys n, 9
'
u p. t 1 ctn 9 F.
j 1 2( ().tEse ilt 'i evauae çon acae- c eba i by e ni a nu r
630. n)1) t s ntaiy' s l td l
s by-as ss xmni ng mbe
off dor . Davi,205 F. a 1305.The ef cor i l , buta e no lm ied t
a s'
'
s
3d t
s a t s neude
r t i t o:
()te e ly rsj d me ta o twh c f n to s ae e s n il (i wrte
i h mpo e ' u g n b u ih ' cin r se ta; i i n
u
) t
j b d s rp in p e a e b f r a v riig o itr iwi a pia t f rte
o e cito s rp r d eo e d e t n r ne ve ng p lc n s o h
s
j b (i)t en u to t s e to t ej bp romi t f n to ;(v te
o ; ii h mo n f i p n n h o e f r ng he u ci n i) h
me
c nsq n e ofn t e urngt eic mb n t p ro m t ef n to ( )tr
o e ue c s o r q ii h n u e t o e fr h u cin: v e ms
ofac lci bar i ng a e nt ( )wor expe inc ofpas i u nt
ole tve gani greme ; vi k
re e
t nctnbe s
o t ej b a d o ( i)t c re two k e p re c o ic mb n si smia
f h o ; n / r v i he u rn r x ein e f n u e t n i lr
jb.
os
29C. R.j 1 2( ( .
F.
630. n)3)
Spii con e t tBr l slm ia i - t a d lfi ove 20poundsa r pe ii
rt t nds ha a o' i ttons o voi itng r
nd e ttve
b n ig a d so pn - wo l p e e thi fo pef nn n h se s nil o f n to s S rt
e dn n t o ig
u d rv n m r m ro i g i s e ta j b u cin . pii
b s s is j d me t a o t t e s n il f n to o Brl s p sto o te wrte j b
a e t u g n b u he se ta u cins f ao' o iin n h itn o
des rpton f a ailne m a nt na s pe vior Acc di t Spii,Br o ha t pe f m
c i i or n ri
i e nce u r s .
or ng o rt al d o ror
t s m e physca a tvii ast l a m e hani he s pe vs d, i l ng c i bi on a
he a
i l c i tes he e d c cs
u r ie nc udi lm ng
nd
w o ki of a r af s a a i a r r tc pa t e s I s l ,Spi i a gues t tr t ni
r ng f icr t t nds nd n ic af om r m nt . n tm
rt r
ha e ur ng
Br o t wor wih hi r titonswoul be t nt
al o
k t s esrc i
d
a amountt r m ovi t physc a pe t of
o e
ng he
ial s c s
Br l sj b. mo n t s ap cs i ag e ,wo l p e n Br l fo die ty o s r ig
ao' o Re vig ho e s e t, t r u s ud rve t ao r m rcl b e vn
hi s di t swor r plc tng t wor , o flngi o tej b S ii c n e d t a te
s ubor na e'
k, e ia i hat k r il n n h o . prt o tn s h t h
i
wo k c d no bediti e a ongs Br l ssx s r na e be us ofdema pl e on
r oul t
srbut d m
t a o' i ubo di t s ca e
nds ac d
t m i a f tpa d envionm e .
he n
as- ce
r
nt
Be a s Br l s j b iv l e arie s ft, S ii
c u e ao' o n o v d iln a ey prt
co e ,t c eque sofhi notpe f m i al t as t ofhi s r ior r ewoul
nt nds he ons nce
s
ror ng 1 he pec s
s upe v s y ol
d
beobvi a undiput d.
ous nd
s e
Brl a g e t a ad tnniainof sj b' e s nilfncin rq ie mo et a a
ao r u s h t ee n to hi o s se ta u to s e ur s r h n n
e a n to o hswrte j b d s rp in u o wh c S rts ll rle . ( 49 1 a 1 ,
x miain f i itn o e cito , p n ih pii o ey eis DE - 9 t 0
1 ) Fo e mpl,at u h Br l sj b d srpto r q ie ta hebea e t l tu t 5
1. r xa e l g ao' o e c i i n e urd h t
ho
bl o i p o 0
f
pounds he contnds t t i pr di ,he lfe onl oc sona l , notng, $I w as t lf i
,
e
ha , n a ce
itd y ca i ly
i ç
n' i tng
t ngsbe us 1wa t s r ior but1s
hi
ca e
s he upe v s ,
uppos i api h, yes'( 38- a 8,28) Brl
en
nc
. DE 4 t
'
. ao
as c n e d h wa n tu a l t b n a d so p; ej s h dt b c rf l ( 3 - a 2 )
lo o tn s e s o n b e o e d n t o h u t a o e a eu . DE 8 4 t 3
.
Ad iin l ,Brl ie iidap e o sS rte l y ewih ab c ij r whowoke a a
d t al ao d ntfe rviu pii mp o e t a k n u y
o y
r ds
m ai ena e s r s r w ho ha s m ia , i notm or r s r c i ,lm ia i . ( 38- a 1 .
nt nc upe vi o
d i lr f
e e ti tve i t tons DE 4 t 0)
Br l wa a s s he ed t atendphysc lt r py. ( 34- a 5)
ao s lo c dul o t
ia he a DE 8 t .
The e i a diput of f c ast whehe Br l slm iai woul pr nthi fo
r s
s e
at o
t r ao' i t tons
d eve
m rm
p ro mighi j b' e sn ilfmci n . hl S ii' j d me t a e p e sd i t ewrte
ef r n s o s se ta t to s W i prts u g n , s x r se n h itn
e
j bd srp in, s b gv nc n ieain,ti n tt o l fco t c n ie Ot f ct s
o e cito mu t e ie o sd rto i s o he ny a t r o o sd r her a or
.
i l t n ountoftm e s nto a f ton a t e re e ofpas i
ncude he m
i pe n unci nd he xpe inc
t ncumbe s i t
nt n he
j Br o,apati umbe oft j sat t t asa s r ior he onl lft t ngs on
ob. al
s nc
nt he ob, t ed ha,
upe vs ,
y i ed hi
oc as on and ti a pi h. Ther i al o e de i t r or t t Spi i e pl d s e
c i
tn
nc '
'
e s s vi nce n he ec d ha
r t m oye om one
as a ar r f mai e nc s r ior who m a ha ha e n m or extnsve lfi a
n ic a t ntna e upe vs
y ve d ve
e e i itng nd
26
phys c l a tviy r t i tons t n B r l . Thus whie Spii ar s t tt cons
i a c i t esr c i
ha
ao
, l
rt gue ha he
eque es of
nc
Br l sn t ro mig teph sc la tvte o hsj b aet b iu a d u d s ue , gv n
ao' o pef r n h y ia ciiis f i o r d vo s n n ip td' ie
o
'
Br l s r s
ao' e ponsbiiy of e urng s f t of t tyi publc, t r i e de t t a pa t
i lt
ns i a e y
he l ng
i he e s vi nce ha
s
s r i or ha lm ia i a l a ta r s rc i as Br l s Thi s
upe v s
d i t tons t e s s e t i tve
a o' .
s ugge t t tt s f t g s
ss ha he a e y oal
e e s d by Spii coul be a compls d e i i ac omm oda e Br l sr srctons.
xpr s e
rt d
c
ihe ven f t c
t d a o' e ti i
Uli t l a f dualdipu e e ss whe viwe i t lghtmos f vo a e t Br l ,
tma e y, a
s t xit , n e d n he i
t a r bl o a o
a
boutwhe he lfi mor t n 20 po
t r itng
e ha
undsand be ng a soopi a e e s talf nc i
ndi nd t ng r s en i u tons
o Brl ' j ba dwh t rBr l c ud p ro m t e ee s nil o sf ncinswih o wi o t
f ao s o n ehe ao o l ef r h s s e ta j b u to t r t u
h
a r a ona e a om m oda i
e s bl cc
ton.
b) Reaona eac
s bl commodai
ton
An a c moda i i r as bl a r quie onl i i e bl s t e pl e t
c om
ton s e ona e nd e r d y f t na e he m oye o
p ro a e s nil o f n to s M c n ,J6 F. p' a 6 1(iig fu a , 7F.d a
ef nn n se ta j b u cin . Ka e 3 Ap x t 8 ctn c s 25 3 t
1 ) An e oyeewih adia lt i note il t t a ommodai ofhi c c ,bu
255 . mpl
t
sbiiy s
ntted o he cc
ton
s hoie t
onl t ar as bl ac ommodai 1 (ii Ear v Me v ,I . 207F. 1
y o e ona e c
ton. d. ctng l . ryns nc,
3d 361,1
367
( 1h Ci.2 0 :.Re s na l a c mmo ai n ma i l e lo r snzt rng pattme o
1t r 0 0
a o b e c o d to s y ncud : j b et cu i , r-i r
m odii d w o k s hedul ,r s i nm e t a va nt post o , a s ton or m odik a i o
fe
r c
es ea s g nt o
ca
ii n cqui ii
t ton f
e up n o d v c s a p o rae a j t n o mo i c to s o e n n to s tann
q ime t r e ie , p r p it dusme t r dt ain f x miain , r iig
i
matra s or polces t pr son of qua ii r a s or i e pr t r , a ot sm ia
eil
i i , he ovii
lfed e der
nt r e e s nd her i l r
a commodai nsf i vi swih dia ltes' 1 . (ii 42 U. C.j 1 1 19 ( )4
c
to or ndi dual t s biii .' d ctng
S.
2 1 ()B).
The
pl i if bea s t bur
a ntf
r he den of i tf ng a a om m oda i , and of de ons r tng t t t
den iyi n cc
ton
m t a i ha he
ac ommodai alowshi t pe f t j se s nta f nci .'1 ( tng fuc ,257
c
ton l
m o ronn he ob' s e il u tons' d. cii
as
F. a 1
3d t 255-5 .An e oye ' t y t pr vi a r a ona e a commodain i not
6)
mpl rs t
dut o o de e s bl c
to s
ti r d unl s a s cii de a f a a comm oda i has be m a .' Gast v.
lgge e
es
pe fc m nd or n c
ton
en de '
on
Be ln at Gar nstrHome I ,1 F. 1 ,1 ( 1hCi.
ligr h
de ç
, nc. 67
3d 361 363 1 t r 2007)
.
Spii a gues t Br l ne r as d Spii f a s c tc a om moda i be us
rt r
hat a o ve ke
rt or pe ii cc
ton ca e
Br l s M ay 1 201 docors not di not s fce a a r que t f a a omm odai n.
a o'
2, 2, t '
e d
ufi s e s or n cc
to
Howe r Br l sa e t the s
ve , a o t t d ha
poke wih M s La g a u h srsrci n .( 3 - a 2 )
t
.
n bo t i e tito s DE 8 4 t 3 .
Br o a guest thi r que tt the no ha t lh mor t n 20 pounds a t the a d
al r
ha s e s ha
t ve o i
e ha
nd ha
voi
r peii be i a soo ng wer ûs tcinty die ta s cii ' t ti rSpii' dut
e ttve nd ng nd t pi
e sufs e l r c nd pe fc' o rgge
rts y
t pl dear s bl ac omm oda i .
o ovi
ea ona e c
ton
Spii ct s t a M i e Diti tofFl i c s , Ma c v Sc .Bd o e a d C?y.
rt ie o
ddl src
orda a e
ak . h
fBr v r 7 ,
/
6: 2- 6121 CVORL- 201 W L 6050749, a * 2 ( . Fl Nov. 1 201 f t
28,
3
t 1 M D. a.
5, 3) or he
pr ii t t a doc ors no e lsi r src i di not c tt e a r ques f a
oposton ha
t ' t itng e titons d
onsiut
e t or n
a comm odai n.l M aac t co tba ed isdoc orsnot de e na i on a t rM i e
c
to n
k, he ur s t
t '
e t nni ton
no he ddl
D i ti t c e, H i m o v. TECO Abc p ? N o. 8: 0
sr c as
ck n
r ,
1 -cv-11
47-T-30M A P, 201 W L 39582
2
( . F a J n. 201 .l Hik n te c u td tnnne ta t pl itn t ap y iins
M D. l. a 9, 2) n c mo , h o r ee i d h t t on ig o h sca '
l
not r ga di lght dut or pa ttm e w or , wihout s m e hi m or , i i ufi e t
e e r ng i
y
r -i
k
t
o t ng
e s ns fcint o
c tt e ar que tf ra a c moda i unde t ADA .'Hi mon 201 W L 39582,a *
onsiut e s o n c om
ton
r he
' ck
2
t 5.
Hikmon' r s ng w a ba e on a Elven h Cic t decson de lng wih a sm iar
c
s ea oni
s sd
n e t
r ui
ii
ai
t
i l
s t ton, W a r n v Vol si Cn/ Fl i 1 Fe App' . 859 ( 1h Ci.2006 .Ware
iua i
re .
u a y, orda, 88 d.
x
1t r
)
r n,
howe ,pr m ied isde e m i ton t ta doc ors not wasa i ufii nta c moda i
ver e s t t r na i ha
t ' e
n ns fc e c om
ton
r ques on t f c t t pl i if s t
e
t
he a t ha a ntf û i i n w as not a tng as he r pr e a i , a
phys c a
ci
r e es nt tve nd,
te eo e h sn tto t a l h d t o s d nayj b wee n c sa y d d n tc nsi t a
h rf r , i oains h t i t u y r e e tr o s r e e s r i o o tt e
g
u
r
eque t f a a com m oda i ' W ar e , 1 F. App' a 86 63. Thus t orgi of t
s or n c
ton.'
r n 88
x t 2in
he
, he
28
de e nai i M aack on whi Spii r le i pr m ie on t or gi r t r t n t
t nni ton n
ch rt e is s e s d
he i n, a he ha he
c en ,oft not
ont t he e.
The ditnc i bewee orgi and c e of t no e i one t Cour c i r
si ton t n i n
ont nt
he t s
he
t onsde s
i pora . M s La c e
m tnt
. ng ont nds t Br l neve i ntfe or as d Spii f a s ii
hat a o
r de iid
ke
rt or pecfc
a co m o to f hi physca r titons ( 384a 23, 40) Howe r at
c m dai n or s
i l esrc i . DE - t 37- .
ve, lhoughBr l
ao
saed t the ne r que t d as cii a omm oda i , Br o cont
t t ha
ver e se
pe fc cc
ton al
endst the dic s d hi
ha
s us e s
r titons wih M s La on M a 1 , 201 he as t be r t ne t wo k,wih hi
esrc i
t
. ng
y 4
2;
ked o
e ur d o r
t s
r titons a çs e wha ha ne .'( 38- a 5, 28) Att ver la t t J 21
esrc i , nd çe
t ppe d ' DE 4 t 23, . he y e s,he une ,
201 l te fom Br o' couns t M s La r que tng t t M s La o Spii' c
2, e tr r
al s
el o . ng e s i ha
. ng r rt s ouns l
e
cont t he t di c s ac om m oda i Br l s r s r c i , as dic s d i he lte ,was a
ac r o s us c
tng a o' e ti tons
s us e n r et r
r uetf a ac ommodai ( 49- 2)
eq s or n c
ton. DE 1 .
Uli t l Br o' and M s La s co lctng t si ony cr a e a f c ua diput ,
tma e y, al s
. ng' nfi i e tm
et
at l s e
whe vi
n ewed i t lghtm os f vor bl t Br l , a
n he i
t a a e o ao bout wheher he r quese a s c fc
t
e t d pe ii
a c mmo ain fo S rt whihp e ld ss mmayj g n o ti is e
c o d to r m pii, c rcu e u r ud me t n h s su .
öheh rBr l rf s dt e g g i t itr tv pr c s
' te a o eu e o n a e n he n eacie o e s
Spii ne a guest tBr l r us d t e ge i t i er c i pr es contm plt d
rt xt r
ha ao ef e o nga n he nt a tve oc s
e ae
b t ADA .s' i e a tvepr es be nswhe an e oyeer quessan a comm od ton.''
y he
trhe ntr c i
f
oc s gi
n
mpl
e t
c
ai
Pant e v Jac n,366 F . Supp. 57,70( D. 2005 . e oye whoi a r ofis
az s . kw
2d
D. C. ) An mpl r
s wae t
r ponsbiiy t pr de a r s
es i lt o ovi
ea onabl ac omm oda i û us m a a r a ona e e f tt
e c
ton s t ke e s bl for o
m
de e m i t a opra e a om m oda i .' 1 Bot t em pl r a t e pl e ha a
t r ne he ppr i t cc
ton ' d.
h he
oye nd he m oye ve
dut t a ti good f ih dtrng t i e a ve pr s . 1 ( t Connee v.
y o c n
at ti he nt r di
oce s d. cing
i
n MBNA Ame ia
rc
Bank N A. 334 F. 31 333 ( Ci.2003 Sf e a e e of good f t , i udi
,
3d 8,
3d r
:. t' bsnc
-h
aih ncl ng
unr as
e onabl de a ca e by an e pl , ca s ve a evi nce ofan A D A vi a i .' 1
e l ys us d
m oyer n er s de
ol ton ' d.
( tng Pii c
cii
cnih
Unie Par el Se v. 321 F. zd 48
td
c
r,
supp.
5,
( D. Y. 2004).
N N.
)
.
Ulmaey tifaj r c u dc n ld t a (n e l y r fie t e g g i g o fih i te
t tl, çj u y o l o cu e h t a mp o e) ald o n a e n o d at n h
i
r
i e a tve pr es , a
ntr c i
oc s nd t t f l e l
ha aiur ed
de e
f ndant no ac r ng r as
t co di
e onabl
e
a c mmo ain t (h e ly e i a t l mn n r s mmay j d me t c n o b
c o d to s o t e mpo e ) n i y n e , u r u g n a n t e
me
gr nt d. I
a e ' d.
'
Spii c endst tBr o f ie t e
rt ont
ha al al d o ngage i t i er c i pr s by notpr d ng
n he nt a tve oce s
ovi i
t m e c i or a i by M s La i m i l
he di al nf m ton
.
ng n d- une.The e i e de e i t r or t s s
r s vi nc n he ec d o ugge t
t tt br kdown i t i e a ve pr s c m e e rir t n t t ho e r O n M ay 1
ha he ea
n he nt r di
oce s a
a le ha ha , w ve .
4,
201 Br o t d M s La wha hi r titonswe e a a ke t be r ur t wor wih
2, al ol
. ng
t s esrc i
r nd s d o
et ned o
k t
t s rsrcins ( 3 - a 4 5 . e r igt Br l M s La gt l hm t tS rt u d
ho e etito . DE 8 4 t , ) Ac o dn o ao, . n od i ha piiwo l
n ta c mmo aeh sr srcin b c us h wa n tij r d o t ej b.( 3 - a 4 23 .
o c o d t i e tito s e a e e s o nu t n h o DE 8 4 t , )
M s La t d hi t the woul bebe trs r e i hewe ba t hi me c lpr dera
. ng ol m ha
d
te e v d f
nt ck o s di a ovi nd
had hi physca r s r c i lf e . ( 38- a 4, . s La c e t tt s sae nt
s
i l e ti t ons i t d DE 4 t 5) M . ng ontnds ha he e ttme s
t Br o w e e ç poor c c of w or . . . wha l s d ha s i was t twe di n' ha
o al
r :
a
hoi e
ds
t houl ve ad
ha
d t ve
e
nough i or in. ( 49-9 a 24) Ho ve,M s La di notat
nf mato ' DE 1 t . we r . ng d
'
temptt c r tt
o orec he
i pr s ons t t he çpoor c c of w or ' ca e . ( 49- 9 a 24) l e s r pe td
m es i
ha r û
hoi e
ds ' us d DE
1 t . nde d, he e ae
t m t Brl ss r io s ( 49- .Spii contndst M s La di nots y t tSpii
he o ao' upe vs r . DE 8) rt e hat . ng d
a ha rt
wo l o l a c mmo ae o -h -o ij re ;r t r i ag e ,s si S ii h d n lg t
u d ny c o d t n tej b nu is ahe, t r u s he ad prt a o ih
d t pr g a f rn n wo krltdij re . na ye e th we r M s La g d e n td s u e
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