Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca8-03-03957/USCOURTS-ca8-03-03957-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
George Beasley
Appellant
City of Marion Arkansas
Appellee
Frank Fogleman
Appellee

Document Text:

1

The Honorable James M. Moody, Judge, United States District Court for

the Eastern District of Arkansas.

United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

___________

No. 03-3957

___________

George Beasley, *

*

Plaintiff–Appellant, * 

* 

v. * Appeal from the United States

* District Court for the Eastern

City of Marion Arkansas; * District of Arkansas.

Frank Fogleman, * 

Mayor of Marion, Arkansas * (UNPUBLISHED)

individually and in his official *

capacity, *

*

Defendants–Appellees. *

___________

Submitted: September 17, 2004

Filed: September 22, 2004 

___________

Before MURPHY, MCMILLIAN, and BENTON, Circuit Judges.

____________

PER CURIAM.

George Beasley brought this employment disability action under the Americans

with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, alleging that he

was unlawfully terminated by the City of Marion. The district court1

 granted

Appellate Case: 03-3957 Page: 1 Date Filed: 09/22/2004 Entry ID: 1814150 
-2-

summary judgment to the city on his federal claim and declined to exercise

jurisdiction over the state claim. The court concluded that Beasley failed to

demonstrate that he was disabled under federal law, and Beasley appeals that

decision. We affirm.

Beasley argues that he was disabled due to a work related injury and that he

was terminated because of that disability. Beasley injured his knee after slipping on

ice while doing welding work for the city. He was sent by his supervisor to receive

medical attention and later referred to a specialist who advised that he not work for

two weeks. Beasley never returned to his job and failed to maintain direct contact

with his supervisor before his termination. The city terminated him for abandoning

his position.

In order to establish a prima facie case of discrimination under the Act, Beasley

had to "establish that (1) he is disabled within the meaning of the [statute]; (2) he is

qualified to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable

accommodation; and (3) he suffered an adverse employment action under

circumstances that give rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination based on

disability." Dropinski v. Douglas County, 298 F.3d 704, 706-07 (8th Cir. 2002).

Disability is defined under the statute to include "(A) a physical or mental impairment

that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; (B)

a record of such an impairment; or (C) being regarded as having such an impairment."

42 U.S.C. § 12102(2) (2000). 

Beasley did not make a showing sufficient to establish disability under federal

law. Although he alleged a seven percent impairment of his lower left leg and an

inability to engage in some physical activities, he did not demonstrate a substantial

limit on any major life activity. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A); Toyota Motor Mfg., Ky.

v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 195 (2002). He admitted to working in car repair and

furniture delivery following his injury, and he presented no evidence that the city

Appellate Case: 03-3957 Page: 2 Date Filed: 09/22/2004 Entry ID: 1814150 
-3-

regarded him as having a substantial impairment. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(C). We

conclude that the district court did not err in granting summary judgment to the city.

The judgment of the district court is affirmed.

______________________________

Appellate Case: 03-3957 Page: 3 Date Filed: 09/22/2004 Entry ID: 1814150