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 with it. The EEOC said the denial also caused her humiliation, mental anguish, and anxiety.
Damages
The EEOC sought back pay for lost wages and benefits, compensation for emotional pain, and punitive damages to punish and deter future violations. The jury later determined monetary awards for each category, along with injunctive relief.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Plaintiff’s Position
The EEOC argued that Branyan’s disability was undisputed and that she was otherwise qualified for the job. They said she clearly requested an accommodation and that one was available without causing undue hardship to the employer. The EEOC claimed the Defendants refused to provide it, violating federal law.
They also argued that the company’s refusal caused measurable financial loss and significant emotional harm. They presented testimony showing that a simple adjustment in the hiring process could have allowed Branyan to complete it successfully.
Defendant’s Position
The Princess Martha and its co-Defendants denied discriminating against Branyan. They argued that all employment decisions were made in good faith and for legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons. They claimed she had not properly engaged in the interactive process required for an accommodation under the ADA.
They also maintained that even if she was disabled, she was not an otherwise qualified individual for the position, and that her claims were barred because she failed to mitigate her damages.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff (EEOC): U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Counsel: Robert E. Weisberg | Beatriz Biscardi André | Lucas Michelen | Jennifer Rex | Melissa Marie Castillo
Defendants: The Princess Martha, LLC | TJM Properties, Inc | TJM Property Management, Inc.
Counsel: Christine Howard, Esq | Brett P. Owens | Elysse Victoria Gorney | Marisol Ruiz
Claims Asserted
Failure to Hire Based on Disability
The EEOC alleged that the Defendants denied Branyan a job because of her disability, in direct violation of the ADA. They argued that she met all qualifications and that the only barrier was the lack of accommodation.
Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodation
The EEOC claimed that after Branyan requested an accommodation, the Defendants failed to provide one, even though a reasonable adjustment was possible. This, they said, directly resulted in her inability to complete the hiring process and secure the job.
Defense Arguments
The Defendants argued that Branyan never properly requested a specific accommodation and that no feasible adjustment existed that would have allowed her to perform the essential functions of the job. They asserted that the hiring decision was unrelated to her disability and that company policies were compliant with the law. They also raised defenses such as failure to mitigate damages, after-acquired evidence, and lack of causal connection between her disability and the employment decision.
Jury Verdict
After deliberation, the jury awarded:
$5083 for lost wages and benefits.
$50,000 for emotional pain and mental anguish.
$350,000 in punitive damages against The Princess Martha.
The jury also found that The Princess Martha and TJM Management were prospective joint employers and that both TJM Management and TJM Properties formed integrated enterprises with The Princess Martha. The verdict sent a clear message that employers must take disability accommodation requests seriously and engage in the interactive process in good faith.
Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com