Opinion ID: 182006
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Asserted Need for Medical Evidence

Text: AutoZone also argues that an employee must provide medical evidence of his or her substantial limitations to satisfy the terms of the ADA. We do not read either the statute or our prior case law as imposing a requirement that the plaintiff provide medical testimony in all cases, or in this one. No language in the ADA or implementing regulations states that medical testimony is required. In fact, the Supreme Court has concluded very much to the contrary. The Williams Court noted that it is insufficient for individuals attempting to prove disability status ... to merely submit evidence of a medical diagnosis of an impairment. Instead, the ADA requires those claiming the Act's protection to prove a disability by offering evidence that the extent of the limitation caused by their impairment in terms of their own experience is substantial. 534 U.S. at 198, 122 S.Ct. 681, quoting Albertson's, Inc. v. Kirkingburg, 527 U.S. 555, 567, 119 S.Ct. 2162, 144 L.Ed.2d 518 (1999) (internal quotation marks and alterations omitted); see also Haynes v. Williams, 392 F.3d 478, 482 (D.C.Cir.2004) (Whatever the comparative credibility of medical versus personal testimony, a plaintiff's personal testimony cannot be inadequate to raise a genuine issue regarding his `own experience.'). That is exactly what the EEOC showed here through Shepherd's testimony, corroborated by Susan's testimony. Neither do our cases hold any differently. In Fredricksen v. United Parcel Service , the case on which AutoZone primarily relies, plaintiff Fredricksen suffered from leukemia and asserted that he was substantially limited in the major life activities of walking and breathing. To corroborate his assertions, he described in vague generalities how he had less stamina to be as mobile as he once was. We held that Fredricksen had not met his burden of demonstrating he was substantially limited; he was merely moderately limited. As a separate and independent consideration, we observed that there was no medical evidence to support his argument about the duration or impact of the difficulties he faced. This observation was limited to Fredricksen's case, in reference to his particular condition and the activities he asserted. Similarly in Squibb v. Memorial Medical Center, 497 F.3d 775, 784 (7th Cir. 2007), another case that AutoZone cites, we concluded that the evidence presented by the plaintiff was not sufficient to defeat a motion for summary judgment on the plaintiff's self-care disability claim; however, we voiced no opinion as to the necessity of expert corroboration. Here, in contrast to the circumstances in Fredricksen and Squibb, the Shepherds each testified about specific activities and instances that caused Shepherd pain, the cumulative effect of which demonstrates what could easily be considered a substantial limitation. Moreover, Shepherd's condition and its possible ramifications were well-documented by medical professionals, including restrictions on his movement that would prevent him from carrying out the most basic household and personal chores. In other contexts, we have taught that expert testimony is unnecessary to establish causation in cases where a lay-person can understand an injury or condition. See Wallace v. McGlothan, 606 F.3d 410, 420 (7th Cir.2010). When an individual suffers from a basic and obvious injury when hit by a vehicle, for example, he or she does not need to produce expert testimony to show that the collision was the cause of the injury. See Moody v. Maine Central Railroad Co., 823 F.2d 693, 695 (1st Cir.1987). This reasoning extends to the scope of a physical limitation like Shepherd's which is obvious to an observer and easily described by the sufferer. In this case, where both the Shepherds' testimony described in detail the limitations Shepherd faced in his ability to care for himself and where his impairment was well-documented, we see no need for additional testimony regarding the extent of his limitations. The limits of Shepherd's personal care are the stuff of everyday experience. At least in this case, no medical evidence about Shepherd's precise limitations was necessary to defeat AutoZone's summary judgment motion.