Jury Awards $280K in ADA Case Against Senior Facility
Table of Contents
Case Background
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit in the Middle District of Florida on behalf of Sarah Branyan against The Princess Martha, LLC, along with TJM Properties, Inc. and TJM Property Management, Inc. Branyan had applied for a position at The Princess Martha, a senior living community in St. Petersburg. She lived with a disability known to the company.
The EEOC alleged that after she disclosed her condition and requested an accommodation for the application process, the company failed to adjust its procedures and ultimately denied her employment. The EEOC claimed this violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and sought compensation for lost wages, emotional harm, and punitive damages.
Cause
The case centered on two main issues: failure to accommodate and discrimination based on disability. The EEOC argued that Branyan was a qualified individual who could perform the essential functions of the job if provided a reasonable accommodation during the application process. They alleged the employer knew of her disability, had the ability to modify the process, and failed to do so.
Injury
Branyan claimed she suffered both economic loss and emotional distress. She lost the opportunity to work, along with the wages and benefits that came wi
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