Robert L. Rediger and Candice K. Rediger obtained a unanimous jury verdict in favor of Placer Advocacy, Resources & Choices in a case brought against it by the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) in federal court.
On March 25, 2013, the EEOC filed a Complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California alleging that Placer ARC had violated the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide a reasonable accommodation to a deaf employee, retaliating against her, and constructively discharging her from her employment. The EEOC not only sought monetary damages for the former employee, but also extensive injunctive and declaratory relief, including but not limited to, implementing new policies and training, and regularly reporting to the EEOC.
The case was vigorously litigated by the parties, resulting in the publication of several rulings by the court that were favorable to Placer ARC. In one ruling, the court rejected the EEOC’s motions to take depositions, compel answers to requests for admissions, and to bring additional discovery disputes to a magistrate judge for resolution, finding that the EEOC’s failure to adhere to the court’s pretrial order “demonstrates carelessness incompatible with a finding of diligence.” (U.S.E.E.O.C. v. Placer ARC, 2014 WL 5419879 (Oct. 23, 2014).) In another ruling before trial, the judge granted Placer ARC’s motion for summary judgment in part, dismissing the EEOC’s retaliation claim. (U.S.E.E.O.C. v. Placer ARC, 114 F.Supp.3d 1048 (July 13, 2015).)
After hearing the evidence presented at trial, the jury unanimously rejected the two remaining claims of the EEOC’s lawsuit. On December 28, 2015, the court entered judgment in favor of Placer ARC and dismissed the EEOC’s action.