Judge Rules In Favor of Fired Employee With Bipolar Disorder

On March 28, after a four-day bench trial, Judge Edward F. Shea of US District Court for Eastern Washington ruled in Plaintiff's favor, noting "[The Employer's] deficient ADA policies and practices." The Judge found that the company's half-dozen different rationales for terminating the employee were simply a pretext for discrimination. The Judge awarded the employee $6,500 in back wages and $50,000 for emotional pain and suffering. The court also issued a three-year injunction, requiring the employer to train its managers and human resources personnel on anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation laws.