Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Wins Not Guilty Verdict in ADA Case
Brian W. Bell and Troy M. Sphar won a not guilty verdict last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in a contested employment discrimination suit. The client, a small orthopedic practice in the Northern suburbs of Chicago, was sued by a former employee in October 2010, alleging that her 2009 termination violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, that the orthopedic practice failed to reasonably accommodate her disability and that it discharged her in retaliation for requesting an accommodation.
In addition to these claims, the former employee also brought, but dismissed before trial, claims alleging that she was discharged on the basis of race, that she was discharged in relation to her jury duty in violation the Federal Jury Services Act, and for unpaid wages. The orthopedic practice denied each of its former employee’s claims and maintained that her termination was based on non-discriminatory reasons.
The trial lasted for four days before the Honorable James B. Zagel and included a number of witnesses for both sides. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP represented the client at both the administrative level before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and through to verdict.
In addition to these claims, the former employee also brought, but dismissed before trial, claims alleging that she was discharged on the basis of race, that she was discharged in relation to her jury duty in violation the Federal Jury Services Act, and for unpaid wages. The orthopedic practice denied each of its former employee’s claims and maintained that her termination was based on non-discriminatory reasons.
The trial lasted for four days before the Honorable James B. Zagel and included a number of witnesses for both sides. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP represented the client at both the administrative level before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and through to verdict.
