Thompson v. Heiner's Bakery et al, No. 7:2011cv00349 - Document 61 (W.D. Va. 2012)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Samuel G. Wilson on 05/18/2012. (rkc)

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CL ERKSOFFI U S. ST COURT CE DI . ATROANOKE, VA FI LED I TH E UN I N TED STATES D I STR I C O U RT CT FO R TH E W E STERN DI STRI O F V I G I A CT R NI R O A N OK E DIVISIO N R O BERT (PETE' TH O M PSO N , S ' Pl nt f , ai i f V. H E I ER ' BA K ERY ,e aI N S / . D ef endant s. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) MAt 18 2 1 22 2 A Q DUDL CL Utl EY, ERK BY: C C i lA ct on N o.7: cvvi i 11- 00349 M EM OR AND U M O PI O N NI By:Sam ue G .W is l lon U nied St es Di t ctJudge t at s ri Thi i a a i n by pl i i fRobe tThom ps pur ua t t A m e i a w ih s s n cto a ntf r on, s nt o he r c ns t Dia ltesAc, U. C.j1 1 c s q. f da ge ande t er le t r r salge s biii t42 S. 2 01 / e ,or ma s quiabl eif o edes le d di a lt di c i i t o b t def nda , Sa a Le Cor r ton. Thom ps c a m st tSa a s biiy s r m na i n y he e nt r e po a i 1 on l i ha r Lee fr d hi i vi a i oft A D A a t rt c pa be n a te t w i c r yi - pa iy ie m n ol ton he fe he om ny ga l e - de a r ng ca c t upgr de ofisdelver t uc . W ih t e upgr desi pl ce D e rm e ofTr ns t ton a t i y r ks t hos a n a , pa t nt a pora i r gul tonsr quied a lSar Lee t u k- r ve st ob a n a m e ca ce tfc ton- a c r ii a i e ai e r 1 a r c d i r o ti di l rii a i e tfc ton Thom ps i una e t obt n be us ofhi s gi a l i pl nt d he r de i il t . Thom ps on s bl o ai ca e s ur c ly m a e a t fbrla or on pr e t tSa a Lee ac om m oda e hi c ton b pa ta l s pe ng isf e tu r a opos s ha r c t s ondii y r i ly us ndi t l e pg ade nd pr di hi ano u a d,l ovi ng m n- pgr de ower c pa t t uc t r by alow i hi t a d t D O T - a ciy r k, he e l ng m o voi he r quie e .Sa a Le r pondst tThomps hasf ie o m uli e lvel, o esa ih a e r m nt r e es ha on a ld, n tpl e s t tbls prmaf ce c s ofdic i i to unde t ADA. Be a edrvi ahi he - aryi c pact i ai ae s rm na in r he c us i ng g rc r ng- a iy d lv r tu kb asmo et namagn l eain hpt tej b o aSaaLe d l e yd ie , ei ey r c e r r ha r ia r lto s i o h o f r e ei r rv r v t co tfndst t k t be a e s nta f ton ofe pl m e f w hi h Sa a Lee c n of e he ur i he as o n s e i l unc i m oy nt or c r a fr Thom ps n no l w f a om m oda i o a ul cc ton.A nd e i t c tw e e t a e Thom ps s ven f he our r o cc pt on' a g n t tdrvi ahihe -a iyt c i no a eseni fmci oft j Thomps s r ume t ha i ng g rc pact nzk s t n s tal t ton he ob, on' 1Hei ' B aker i an oper ton ofEarhgr ns whi was,a al tm esr e ai t ai , ch ner s ys t li elvantt t scas ,a o hi e s i ar ofSar Lee. Thi opi on wilc l tvel r ert t def ubsdi y a s ni l olec i y ef o he endant astsa a Le 't oughout s ç r e' hr . r - pr pos d a omm odai i unr as bl be a ei woul i o e cc ton s e ona e c us t d mpos a und bur n on Sa a e n ue de r Le Ac or ngl t c t lgrntSa aLe smotonfrs e. c di y,he our wil a r e' i o ummayj me . r udg nt Sa a Le hi e Thom ps i 2002 t de i rba d goodsf om isRoa r e rd on n o lve ke r t noke de i a pot n l r box- t e de i r t uc Thom ps wor d i t sposton w ihoute ntun i Fe u y a ge s yl lve y r k. on ke n hi ii t ve t l br ar 28, 2007,whe hes f r d ad tiul rtchyc r aa r s a s i zeofunknown ei og ' n ufe e t rc a a ven a di re t nd ezlr tol y. ' ( .sRep. ot Summ.J 3,E. F.4 ) Tho on' he tha begunt alenat bewe n P1' s M . . C. 2. mps s ar d o tr e t e bea i m uc t qui y a br e l s oppi a hi phys c a had t a y a e ec r c l tng h oo ckl nd i fy t ng, nd s i i ns o ppl n l ti a s k t hi he r t f ce i t r s e bea i nor a l Thom ps sphys ci nsw e e una e t hoc o s a t o or t o e um tng m ly. on' ia r bl o de e m i t e c ca e oft e t A sa pr ca i r m e s e phys ci nsi pl nt a t r ne he xa t us he ven . e utona y a ur , i a m a ed n el c r c de i il t i Thom ps ' c e t de i d t r t r hi hea tw e e i t s o ag n. e toni fbr la or n on s h s , s gne o esa t s r r t o t p ai z A fe t o r ton,Thom ps n t ni w e ks ofm e ca l ve a t n gr ualy r um ed hi t r he pe a i o ook ne e di l ea nd he ad l es s w o kpl c dutesw ih no r t i tons r ae i t es rc i . l 2002, i pa i e ndi bus ne snee ,Sa a Le ce s d pur has ng t uc wih n antci tng xpa ng i s ds r e a e c i r ks t gr sve cewei trtngs($ Rs'3of1 ,00poundsorls .Andi lt 20 ,SaaLee os hil gh ai : GVW ') 0 0 es n ae 08 r tna l amounc i woul u r a 1ofistuc t c ry hi he pa oa ;e h tu k woul i ly l ed t d pg ade 1 t r ks o a r g r yl ds ac r c d now f t e a GV W R g ea e t n 1 000 pounds I s m e c es t sw o d r quie Sa a Le t ea ur r t r ha 0, .n o as , hi ul e r r e o r pl e o1 c s i co pone sw ih s ur e ha dw a e l o he s i w oul m e el r qui e Sa a e ac d ha s s m nt t t di r r r . n t r , t d r y e r r 2Oneo Thom ps sphysi ansdes i t se ntasa ts f on' ci crbed hi ve tudden deat epiode.' ( s M o. h s ' Re p. t Su J Ex. E. F. 4 1 ) Anohe n t dta i Th mm. . Q, C. No. 2- 4. t r o e h t f omps n' he r t a no be ns c e he o s a tt d t e ho k d h woul h v did.'(d. Z, C. No. - 3. Tho o e e in e asmia e nti 201 whie d a e e ' I Ex. E. F. 42 2 ) mps n xp re c d i lr ve n 0 l cuti t lwn. On t day,however Thomps sdefbrlat s tng he a hat , on' i il or hocked hi hear fvetm esdurng a s ti i i t m i eperod and alowed hi hea tt r um ea nor r hm . wo- nut i l s r o es mal hyt 3GVW R i t t alalowabl wei , ass cii by a manuf t er ofa vehi e when l s he ot l e ght pe fed ac ur , cl oaded. Se 49C. R.j3 5.Thet a l de weg tofatu kwi aGVW R of1 00 po ss ul t e F. 90. otl oa d ih rc t h 0, 0 und ho d hus notexc 10, pounds eed 000 . Le t r r gitrar dy- pa etuc t r fe thi he GVW RS Unde f de alDOT e o e-e se lea ca bl r ks o e l c g r . re r regul i w hen a t uck has a GV W R i exces of 1 000 pounds and i used i i er t e atons, r n s 0, s n nt s at c ommere a drve oft ttuc mus bec tfe a physc l qualfe 49C. R.j3 41. c , ny i r ha r k t eriid s ialy iid. F. 91. Spe tca l a t edi ale m i ri r quie t ce tf t tt drve doesnotha a cii ly, û m c xa ne s e r d o riy ha he i r ve ny physca ,m e a ,o or ni c ton t tm i afec t d i r s a lt t ope a e a i l nt l r ga c ondii ha ght f t he r ve ' biiy o r t c mme ca moo v hil s fl ' 4 C. R. 3 .3 9.Be a s t DOT d fn sitrtt o ril tr e ce aey. 9 F. j 914 ( ' c u e he eie n esae c m m e c br dl ,4t e r l tons woul r ui e a 1Sar Le e pl ye s w ih t uc d i ng o r e oa y h egu a i d eq r 1 a e m o e t z k- r vi r pons biii st ob a n t m e ca ce tfc ton i or rt ope a e is u r de t uc . es i lt e o t i he di l rii a i n de o r t t pg a d r ks W he Tho ps s htc r ii to i Oc o of2008, sm e ca exn i rf l d n m on oug e tfca i n n t ber hi di l m ne o m hi i lgi e unde t r gul t o be us ofhi ne i e naldetbrla or5 H ow ever, m ne i bl r he e a i ns ca e s w nt r i il t . Thom ps co i d t d i hi t uc untlAprlof2009,w he he as d Sa a Lee by l te ,t on ntnue o r ve s r k i i n ke r , et r o 4A ccor ng t t r atons: di o he egul i l ert t comm e ce m e ta tafi ortans tton i t Unied St t nt sa e r ans r de, r fc, r pora i n he t a es - ( )Bewe naplc i aStt a daplc o tieo s h Sae(n l i apa eou sd l t e a e n ae n a e u sd f uc tt icudng lc tie o teUni d S ae l f h t tt s; e ( Bewe nt pa e i aStt tr ug a te Saeo aplc ou sd o teUni d 2) t e wo lc s n ae h o h noh r tt r a e tie f h t e Stt 'or a es , ( )Bewe nt pa e i aStt a pa t fta ,rfi, rta po tto o i nai or 3 t e wo lc s n ae s r o rde tafc o rns rain rgi tng t m i tng out det St e ort Unied St es er nai si he at he t at . l r t t comm e ce meansa tade,taf i,ortans tton i any Stt whi i not nt asa e r ny r r fc r pora i n a e ch s des i i t t m &i er t e com mer e. crbed n he er Gnt sat c ' ' 49C. R.j3905 Tho onma e nos ro e f r t esa iht tS r Le stu k a en t F. .. mps k s e ius fo to tbls ha a a e' r c s r o s j c t teDOT r g ains ohe t nt s yç o s sr u ewa l aloRo no . ube t o h e ulto , t r ha o a Th mp on' o t s oc t a ke' ' ( .sRep. o .S Pl' s M t umm. . E. F. 42. Gie t tTh o wo k df adi so o J 4, C. No. ) v n ha omps n r e or viin f Sar Leet tpr a ha oduced br pr ead oduct i W es Vigi af delver t busi esi W es sn t r ni or i y o ness n t Vigi a Ohi Vigi a,and easer Kent r ni, o, r ni t n ucky,t e i no quesi t tt DOT r a i her s ton ha he egultons a ple ( eM o .S p id. Se t umm. . 1 a 7 E. F. 35 3) J Ex. , t , C. No. - . 5Ther g lton i tu tteme c l xa n rt En o emu mur a a r ytmis a a e u ai s nsr c h dia e mie o t j t r s nd rh r a , nd ny g h hit y ofa enl ged hear conges i hear f l e,orca di cul dieas t i accompani by s or n ar t tve t aiur r ovas ar s e hat s ed s yncope,dys pnea,orcolapse. l cat ons dat di l ndi e et e, agnoss medi i and any cur entlm ia i An i, caton, r i t ton. ee to adigrm i rquie whe fn n s i iae' 49C. R.j3 . ( Thee mia in f m lcr c r o a s e r d n idigs o ndc t . ' F. 9l43 9. xa n to or i uded i t ss ton not t ti ant e car overerde i il or ar di qualf ng due t rs of ncl n hi ec i es hat tmpl abl di t fbrlat s e s iyi o ik (os o c s ous e sa l a l tuci t t eMe c l mi r l s f on ci n s l' d. t nsr tons o h dia Exa ne . ' a ommoda ehi c tonby r t ni a ol e ,l rca r ng- a ciy tuc f hi us cc t s ondii eai ng n d r owe - ryi c pa t r k or s e. Tho ps unde we a s co m e ca e i ton on Apr l1 2009,a aga n t m e ca m on r nt e nd di l xam na i i 4, nd i he di l e i rde e t c r ii ton.6 xam ne ni d he e tfca i Sar Lee s on r s nde t Thom ps n' a co m oda i r ques ,e ai ng t tSa a a o e po d o o sc m ton e t xpl ni ha r Lee' te tw i u a m ea tt c pa co d no f s bl pr de Thom ps w ih a l r s l e - de pgr de n he om ny ul t ea i y ovi on t owe ca c t t uc Sa a Le putThom ps on a l a ofa e e, nd uli a e y t r i t hi on pa iy r k. r e on e ve bs nc a tm t l e m na ed m J y 1 2009. By A ugus o 2009,Sa a Le had upgr de e y t uc a isR oa ul 6, tf r e a d ver r k t t noke de t pot o t ne GV W R s a r Thom ps c pl i d t t EEO C a he w t nda d. on om a ne o he bouthi t r i ton. On Apr l s e m na i i 29,2011 t EEO C i s Thom ps aN o i o Ri ht l te ,a i t n,Thom ps fl t s , he s ued on tce f g s e t r nd, n ur on ied hi lw s t a ui. I I. A. SaaLe ague t ts r e r s ha ummar j me i a oprat1be a eThomps i u bl t y udg nt s ppr i e c us on s na e o per or t ess i f i ofa Sar Lee delver dri . The courtagreesand fndst t f m he ental unctons a i y ver i hat he a lt t drve a delve y t u k w ih a GV W R i e e sof 1 000 poundsbe r m or t n a biiy o i i r rc t n xc s 0, a s e ha i r ia r lto s p'ot ej bo aSaaLe d l eytu k d ie a di,h r f r, n s gn l eain hi't h o f r e ei r r c rv r n s te eo e a ma v e s nilo f n to .An b c us Th mp o c n o lwf lypef r a e s nilo se ta j b u cin d e a e o s n a n ta ul ro m n s e ta j b 6A r l d t stme, Sar Leeofer Thomps aposii asa par-i e l ratisDubln, otn hi i a f ed on ton ttm oade t i Vigi ade . r ni pot 1Su r ud n i a r raewh nçhepla n ,hedsov r a ddsls emaeil mmayj gme t s ppopit e ; edigst ic ey n icour tras t on fl and any af i t s ie, fdavis how t tt e i no ge ne is ast any m a eralf ta t tt m ovant ha her s nui s ue o t i ac nd ha he i e tte t udg n a amatro lw. Fe R. v. 5 c( .Th p rymovigf rs s nild oj me t s te f a ' d. Ci P. 6()2) e a t ' n o umma y r j dg n be r t b r nofi on n t ec ur o t eba i f rismo in, ndi ntf ngtos p rsof u me t a s he u de nf nig h o t f h ss o t to a de iyi h e a t t r d whih dem onsr t t abs he ecor c ta e he enceofagenui is ofmat i f t Cel ex Cor v.Car t ne s ue eral ac . ot p, tet, 4 U. 3l ,3 ( 98 .l r viwi as mma yj g ntmo inund rRue56 t co r E s 77 S. 7 23 1 6) n e e ng u r ud me to e l ,he u ts t mu d a al u tfa ei e e c i fvo o t en movi p ry. Unie Stt sv. r i Tr n f r r rw lj siibl nfr n es n a r f h on ng a t ' t d ae Ca ol a so me ' na Co.978F. 8 83 ( t Ci.1 92)(ii An r o v. b rv Lob l .47 U. 2 ,2 , 2d 32, 5 4h r 9 ctng des n Lie t by.nc, 7 S. 42 55 ( 98 :. 1 6 f ton,hei notqualfe a Sa a Le di notdic i naeag ns hi i vi a i oft unc i s ii d nd r e d s rmi t ai t m n olton he A DA . Unde t A DA , ; nl c r d e tt s ldi c i i t a i ta qua ii i vi ual on r he ' o ovee n iy hal s rm na e ga ns lted ndi d B g t eb sso d sbit 9i r g r t j ba piai np o e u e ,h hrn , d a e n , r h a i f ia l y n e ad o o p lc to r c d r s t e ii g a v nc me t o i dic r eofe o s e oye compe ai j tani a ot rtr , sha g mplyee , mpl e ns ton,ob ri ng, nd he ems condiins a to , nd prvie sofe oyment' 42U. C.j 1 1 a .ADA- ohi tddici naincome i i lge mpl . ' S. 21 2() pr bie srmi to sn s vea vaites s ej 1 11 i udi a e o ' fiur t r s bl ac e rl rei , e 2 2,ncl ng n mplyers al e o ea ona y commodaea t n ot r s quaiiddia e i vi l j 1 1 b)5 ( . hewie- lfe s bld ndi dua. 21 2( ()A) To s c ed on a f l e-o- c m m oda e c ai ,a pl i i fm us es a i h a pr m a f ci uc e aiur t a co t lm a ntf t t bls i a e caebyde tai t t( )hewa dia e unde t ADA;( hi e oye ha notc of s monsr tng ha 1 s s bld r he 2) s mpl r d ie hi dia lt ( )hec dpef m t e snta fmci oft postonwihras na e s s biiy; 3 oul ror he se il t tons he ii t e o bl a ommodai and( t e oy rf e t ma r s bl ac ommodai Rhoa v. cc ton; 4) he mpl er eus d o ke eaona e c ton. ds F C, 5 F.d3 3 38 n. 1(t Ci. 0 ) c r igt teEEOC rg lto , se t lo DI 2 7 3 7 , 7 1 4 h r 2 01.Ac o dn o h e u ains e s ni j b a f n to icu etu a n a j bd te o t ee ly n p sto t eidv d a h lso u cins n ld û nd me t lo uis f h mp o me t o i n h n ii u l od r f i d srs'2 C. R. 1 302 n , ihi e r r ta amagn lrlto h pt tej ba e ie , 9 F. j 6 .( ) wh c s a mo e h n ' b r ia eains i o h o t is ' Tvndalv. tlEduc. r.I 31F. 209, 3( h Ci.1 4) TheADA i t cs sue. ' l Na ' Ctssnc, 3d 21 4t r 99 . nsnzt ta c u t c n ie dh e l y rs u g n a t wh t u cin aee sn il' n Cfa h t o rs o sd r t e mp o e 'j d me t s o a f n to s r se ta, a d i n t ' i e oye ha pr pa e am it n de c i i be or a rii ori e vewi a i nt f t mpl r s e r d te s rpton f e dve tsng nt r i ng pplca s or he j b ti d srp ins al ec n i ee e i e c o tee sn ilfnci n o t ej b. o ,h s e cito h l b o sd rd v d n e f h se ta u to s f h o ' ' j1 ( . 21118) BA : aiidi i d l(s a idii a wh , t o wi tra o bl a ommo tony a 1 Ife ndviua ij n n vdu l o wih r t qu hou e s na e cc dai c n peror t es entalf tonsoft empl f m he s i unc i he oymentposii t ts h i vi hol ordesr ' ton ha uc ndi dual ds ies. ' j 1 118 . 21 ( ) 9A q sbiiy'i E ph ia o me a i aime tt a s bsa tal lmiso ormor mao l a lt ' s ç ysc l r ntl mp r n h t u tn il i t ne di a y e jr lf ac i tesofs h i vi '...ar d ofs h i paiment or...bei r ded asha ng s ie tvii uc ndi dual , ecor uc m r , ' ng egar vi uch i ime . j1 0 1 .Th c ur a s mes wi u d cdig,h tTh mpar nt' 21 2( ) e o t s u , t t e i n ta omps i dia e ' ho on s s bld. l t sc e,t cour fndst tt e s nta f nc i ofa Sa a Le dei r drve i t n hi as he t i ha he s e il u ton r e lve y i r s o oper t a t uc w ih a GV W R i e e sof 1 000 pounds a t tThom ps cn ae r k t n xc s 0, , nd ha on nnotpe f m r or t tf ton,e t rw ih o wihoutr s bl a o m oda i Eve i t c r w e e t ha unc i ihe t r t ea ona e cc m ton. n f he ou t r o wihhol t es e i lf ton de e e t whih Sa aLeei e il d unde t lw,i i ce r t d he s nta -unci f r nce o c r s ntte r he a t s la t t c t ha one ofa delve y-r k drve ' e s n i f tons t k unda e a dut ' o he our t t i r t uc i r s s e tal unc i - he û f m nt l y' of w hi h t r gul tons s a i t d i t c pa de i r tucks w hi he e ha GV W RS c he e a i pe k- s o r ve he om ny lve y r , ch r ve i exc s o 10000po s Drvi aSa aLe dei r tuc no o yt a rjmoet na n es f , und . i ng r e lvey r k t nl i rs r ha be magna rlto hpt tej b'ii tej b An teei n a c mmo ain,e s n bl o r i l eains i o h o , ts h o . d h r s o c o d to ra o a e r ' ot r s Sa a Le ca of e Tho ps n t tw oul e bl hi i t te a r t D OT he wi e, r e n f r m o ha d na e m n ha nde vo - he rgultonsfal prven i.SeeBa v. s e Tr ns t , 2F. 969,974( hCi. e ai lty e t t y Ca s ns a por Co.21 3d 7t r 2000)(t t underapplca eDOT rgultons (hedee nt wasnotal i bl e ai ,t fnda l lowedt pe t(he o nni t pli if t r umedrvi untlhepr e ac pyofado t ' c rii t i cai hewa antfj o es i ng i oduc d o cors e tfcae ndi tng s physc ly q ii dt drve,... ndnohi i t ADA pur t t c nget to i to '; ial ualte o i a t ng n he pors o ha ha blgain.l ' Mye sv. e,5 F. 278, 2-85( h Ci.1 )( di t tada tcbusdrve s j c r Hos 0 3d 28 4t r 995 hol ng ha ibei i r ub e t whofie aDOT medi le mi to wa una et pe f m t j sese ilf tons; ald ca xa nain s bl o ror he ob' snta unci l Cha e v. t ofDala ,2F. 1 5,1 -96(t Ci.1 )( di bas o DOT ndlr Ciy ls 3d 38 394 5h r 993 hol ng, ed n r gul tons t t di be i busdrver and viualy i paie bus drve sw e e no qua ii d f t e a i , ha a tc i s s l m rd i r r t lte or he j b. o) Th mps na g st a t ej b se s nilun to d n t n ld d ii at c wiha o o r ue h t h o ' se ta f cins o o i cu e rvng nlk t GV W R i e s of 1 000 pounds l s n xce s 0, . n uppor ofhi pos to Thom ps of e s a a l ge t s ii n, on f r n le d a vet e n f r heSaaLe d lv r - rv r o t a d e n tal et GVW RSo DOT d ri me t o t r e eiey d ie j b h t o s o l o s ud r medialc rikai .W hiej desrptonsaealgii t me nsofpr ngaj se snta c e tt tons l ob ci i r e tmae a ovi ob' se il f tons t ec n et dj b p si 1 i t sc e doe no ove c e t unc e t d e d nc unc i , h o tse o - o tng0 n hi as s t r om he ont s e vi e e t tSa a Le i f tdec de t upgr e is fee t hi r ca c t tuc a ha notpur has d ha r e n ac i do ad t l t o ghe - pa iy r ks nd s c e a l e - a ciy t uc s nce 2002. By Aug tof2009,e r tuc atSa a Le sRoa ow r c pa t r k i us ve y r k r e' noke de pot hadaGVW R i exc s of1 000pounds Thus rgadl sofhow t pr fr ob- tng n e s 0, . , e r es he ofeedj posi des rbe t delver d i rposton,a a i a f t poston s ilwoul ne d t a lt t c i d he i y- r ve ii n pplc nt or he ii tl d e he biiy o l w f l d i Sa a Le s u r de tucks a uly r ve r e' pg a d r . Th mp o f rh rc ne t S r Le ' c aa trz to o t ej b se s n ilfncin b o s n u te o tss aa es h rceiain f h o ' se ta u t s y o poi i outt thehasbe pef mi t j a yf s ve a yeaswihal rca ct ntng ha en ror ng he ob bl or e r l r t owe - pa iy tuc a t tSa a Le e n a l w e hi t c i d i ng f fve m ont afe t fr t r k, nd ha r e ve lo d m o ontnue r vi or i hs t r he is f ie m e c le l i n. Bot oft e f c s a co di t Thom ps de ons r t t tt tt a l d di a va uato h hes a t , c r ng o on, m t a e ha ha he j b' e sn ilu to i n t od ieah g e -a a iytu k.Heea an h we e, o s se ta fncin s o t rv ih rc p ct r c r g i, o v r Thom ps sa gum e i est unde l ng, ont t d f c o Sar Lee' te tupgr de. l on' r nt gnor he ryi unc es e a t f a sle a n rs e pons t g o i s l ,Sa a Le m a a bus ne s d i i t delve isgoodsusng a e o r w ng a es r e de i s ec s on o i r t i na i tonwi te toft c w ih GV W RS i e s of 1 000 pounds sbusnes ne s iy de l e nz ks t n xce s 0, .A i s ce st e ov s s t oc n aj b' e s nil u cin .S r Le i n mo eo iae t pa s is v le , o o a o s s e ta f n to s aa e s o r bl td o u e t g e vi bus nes m ode i or rt r t n a c r nte pl yee t n i i t r w i isc r nt vol ng i s l n de o e ai ur e m o ha t s o e nd t ur e busne smodelt hieanew e oyee SeeEEOC v.ClyPrntncCo.955F.d 9 946( h i s o r mpl . a ii , 2 36, 4t Ci.1 Citi nott pur eoft EEOC no t f tonoft sc tt s c gues t r 992) l s he pos he r he unci hi our o e ond s he widom ofbusnes de sons';W ebse v.He s 32F. x36,43( h Ci.200 ($t s i s cii .l ' tr nderon, App' 4t r 2) 11 i no t pur eoft scour t sco g st wido ofb i s decso ....) Ke r s t he pos hi t o e nd ues he s m usne s iins ' ; pha t ' v.l tofGa Te h.630F. 1 1 ( hCi.1 ( ADA i kno i e dasa ns. s c , 2d 217, 223 7t r 980) The s ç t ntnde 1 Tho o ofer a s eens oft posi f om www .henes k r c m.( .sRe p. o . 0 mps n f s cr hot he tng r i rba ey.o Pl' s M t Su J Ex. E. F. - . SaaLe ,o t o h rha o fr d po iint si y e anngt a mm. . A, C. 42 1) r e n he t e nd, fes e sto etmon xplii h t t sadve ts e i a s ppe oft complt pos i whi can be f hi riem nt s ni t he e e tng, ch ound on t Sar Leew e ie he a bst- wheeal tn il lv r d i r mus a y f e o me t ( f' Re y Ex. E. F. - . r lpoe ta deie y rve s t ppl or mply n. De .s pl 3, C. 46 5) v hcef r u iil e e o b ie sd cso ' Ac o dn l t ec u t idsta Th mp o e il o j dca rviw f usn s e iins). c r igy,h o r fn h t o s n i u a et p ro a e sn ilfn t no tej ba dwi ga tSaaLe ' mo inf r s n bl o ef nn n se ta u ci f h o n l rn r e s to o o l s mmayj d me t u r u g n. B. Ev n it ec u t r t a c p Th mp o sc aa trz to o tej b t a is e f h o r wee o c e t o s n' h rceiain f h o - h t t es e i lf tons do noti l dr vi a hi r ca c t t uc s h t tThom ps c d s nta unc i nc ude i ng ghe - pa iy r k- uc ha on oul p ro t j bgve tea c mmo aino alwe-a a i tu k t t c o d to wo l ef nn he o i n h c o d to f o rc p ct r c ,ha a c mmo ain ud y i mpos a u uebur n on Sa a Le e n nd de r e. A r ao a l a c mmo to c nicu eto rsr cu i g pa t i o mo iidwo k e s n be c o dain a n ld i b e tu trn , r- me r d fe r j t s he es r as i nm e t a va ntposton,a qui ii o m odii a i ofe pm e or c dul , e s g nt o ca ii c ston r f c ton qui nt d v c s a prpraea j sme to mo iiainso e a n to s tanigmaeil o poiis e ie , p o it d u t n r dfc to f x miain ,ri n tras r lce , t pr son o qualf e r de s ori e r t r ,a ot rs m ia ac om m oda i f he ovi i f ii d ea r nt m e e s nd he i l r c tons or i vi l wihdia ltes' j1 l1( .Buta ac ommodai i notras bl i i û d ndi duas t sbiii .' 21 9) n c ton s e ona e f tt woul i ea unduehads pont opeai ofgne o rs busnes.'j1 1 b)5)A) mpos n r hi he rton a mplye 'j i s' 21 2( ( ( . The pl i i fbe r t bur n ofi n iyi a a c m od ton t tw oul alow hi t pe f m a ntf a s he de de tf ng n c om a i ha d l m o r or hsj b a dh h st utmaeb r e o p ru so i d mo sr tn t a s c a i o , n e a he li t u d n f e s a in n e n tai g h t u h n ac c omm odai i r as bl Se Shi v. v. M d. ed.Sys. ton s e ona e. e n Uni of M Cop .369 F.App' 472,48 , x 2 4t Ci. 0)(ii Hapernv. c Te h.Cor ,1 F. 1 1 ( hCi.1 ) h r 201 ctng l i Aba us c p. 28 3d 91, 97 4t r 997). Tho ps n' c a m f isbe a e t unc t a c e e de e s st tt pr m o s l i a l c us he on r di t d vi nc how ha he opos d e a c m oda i w oul pl ce a undue bur n o Sa a Le Thom ps des rbest c om ton d a n de n r e. on c i he a c m oda i n asr quii ltl m or ofSa a Leet n isr f a ni f o r i t rng a c om to e rng il e e r ha t e r i ng r m eg s e i n exitng l e - a c t tuc asa hi her c pa t t u k.The undiput e d e, e r s i ow r c pa iy r k g - a ciy r c s ed vi enc how ve , i cat t accom m odaton i har y t si pl Fi t Sar Lee hasnotpur ndi es he i s dl hat m e. rs , a chased a l er ow - c pa t tu k snce2002. Cons uen l a tuc Tho ps dr woul bea las t n ye r a ciy r c i eq ty, ny r k m on ove d t e t e as o1 a l s r la e t n t ne hi r ca c t t u ks Sec d nd es e i bl ha he w ghe - pa iy r c . ond,e i a ol rt u k w a no ven f n de r c s l s r la e t n a ne e t uc m ec ni lbr k- ow nsar i d i via e a woul r quie e s e i bl ha w r r k, ha ca ea d e ndee ne t bl nd d e r eihe t tSa a Le kee a s ond tuc on ha f Thom ps ort tSa a Le as i a he t r ha r e p ec r k nd or on, ha r e s gn not r drve t Thom ps s r e whe hi t c w a notr nni Thid,t e i t difculy of i ro on' out n s nl k s u ng. r her s he f i t as urng t tThom ps sl e - a c t tuc w a ne rove l d w ih g s i ha on' ow r c pa iy r k s ve roade t oodsa t r f r nd he e o e outo co pla e w ih D OT r g a i . R a he t n s m pl l di a t uc a w iho w or y f m i nc t e ul tons t r ha i y oa ng r k nd t ut r sendi a drver l f l ont t r i a hi ng i aw uly o he oad n gher capaciy tuck,Sar Lee w oul need s e t r a d om m ea o as urng is l t tTho ps n' t u k ca e a a o i t y lghtl d. Fourh, ns f s i t e f ha m o s r c ni d n ppr pr a el i oa t as Sa a Lee sbusnes c i r ' i s ontnuest g ow t oughoutt r gi t com pa w oul be f r d t o r hr he e on, he ny d o ce o r srctThomps sde i r r ewhier wor ng ot r t a or t ne vol e ti on' lve y out l e ki he s o bs b he w ume.And i f s l vol e we e t gr w w ihi t co i s ofThomps sr e,Sa a Le woul nee t a es um r o o t n he nt ne on' out r e d do e ur he c d l w f l de i rt ti r a e vol e, nd s i hi r e i no . The e ns e oul a uly lve ha nc e s d um a hrnk s out f t s difc te cons iut a f r gr a e bur n t n sm pl m a nt i ng a tuc scur e GV W R. f i uli s tt e a e t r de ha i y i a ni r k' r nt Ra he , t a om m oda i woul i pos a undue i notunw or bl bur n on Sa a Lee l I t r he cc ton dm e n ,f ka e, de r .1 t woul com pe Sa a Lee t r ha isbus nes m ode i or rt a r t c tdi t t d pa oa d l r o es pe t i s l n de o dhe e o our - c a e yl d lm ia i a di t i i m e hodol i s ar s tt A D A doesc e pl t . 1 i t tons nd srbuton t og e e ul he ont m a e 2 1 1The cour doesnotde deasa materofl t que tonsofw he hert par-i l r t ci t aw he s i t he ttme oade postonw asa r asonabl acc ii e e omm odaton orwhe herThomps r us t poston. i t on ef ed he ii 1 Sar Leeal o cl m st Thom ps di nottm el t ehi c ge wih t EEOC. However i 2 a s ai hat on d i y il s har t he ,n par a t ee ofisans ,Sa a Le adm it t Thomps tmel fl acha gewih t EEOC. agr ph hr t wer r e ted hat on i y ied r t he Thi consiut a wai ofisuntmelnes a s tt es ver t i i s rgument SeeZi v.Tr nsW ord Ailnes,I ,455 U. . pes a l ri nc. S. 38 , 3( 9 2)(G eh dt ttl atmeyc r ewiht EEOC i no aj rs cina p ee uiiet 5 39 1 8 ç ol ha ii i l hag t he W ng s t u idito l rr q st o s i i f d r l o tbu arquie nt h t lk asaut ofImiains i s b e tt wave , so e, nd ut n e e a c ur, t e r me t a, ie tt e i tto , s u j c o i r e tpp la e tbl t ln ' ; qui e olig.l EEOC. M ioOiCo.l . 1 W L 1 66 ( Ka Nov. 1 1 8 (( a ' v. c 1 snc, 988 30 0 D. n. 2 , 98 ) ; By a ti t ta1 condii pr dmitng ha l tons ecedenthad bee met t def n , he endant wai any afimatvede ens s ved fr i f e ba e o t eu tmei s o (h plitf )fl h rc r ewihteEEOC.) s eas Exh u to of s d n h n i lne s f t e an ifs ii e hag t h ng ' ' e lo a sin ', Admi srtveRe disa Prr qust t Acin Und rTil lo Ame ia wih Dia lte Ac ( nitai me e s ee ii o to e e te f rc ns t s biiis t 42 U. C.j 1 ll -1 1 ,l A. R. d. 39(1 flngwi t EEOC i ce ry rquie beo e S. j 2 1 21 7) 69 L. Fe 4 E ii t he As h s la l e r d fr 11 1. Nor ao a l j yc ud fn t a d iigaSaaLe d lv r tu kb a so l a e s n be ur o l id h t rvn r e ei ey r c e r ny magi lrlto hi t t j ofaSaaLe dei r drve .Bec us ofDOT rgultons t r r na eains p o he ob r e lvey i r a e e ai ,hee i no a co moda i t woul e eTho ps t drvet tuc i Sa aLe su r de s c m ton hat d nabl m on o i he r ks n r e' pg a d fe t Ande e i t ec ur a c p sTh mp o sc aa trz to o t ej b' e sn il u cin , le. v n f h o t c e t o s n' h rceiain f h o s se ta f n to s t a c m oda i Thom ps n s ksw oul i pos a undue bur on Sar Lee Thus he c om ton o ee dm e n den a . , Thomps ha note t ihed aprm af ce c s ofADA d s rmi ton,a t c t l gr nt on s sabls i ai ae i c i nai nd he our wil a 7 z* . . z, .A SaaLe ' moinf rs mmayj g n . r es to o u r ud me t / Ent M ay 18,2012. er: I TED STATES D I STRI J GE CT UD brngi a a to u de Til Io t eAme ia wihDia iiisAc ( U. C. 1 1 -1 1 ) a i ng n cin n r te f h rc ns t s blte t 42 S. jj 21 1 21 7 , plitf ma a d amo i t d s s orf rs mmayj dg n ont tis byis i ar qu s f anif y voi ton o imis o u r u me t ha sue s ung e e t or admisi i whi t def ns adm ist ta c gewastmel fl w ih t EEOC andt a1 s ons n ch he e e t ha har i y ied t he hat l c dii prc de th vebe n s tsi d.) on tons e e n a e aite ' . ' 1 0

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