Opinion ID: 71411
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the issues on appeal and standard of review

Text: Hamm contends that there was insufficient evidence adduced a trial to support the jury's finding that Gordon had a disability under the ADA. Specifically, it asserts that Gordon is not a qualified individual with a disability under the ADA, as Gordon neither had a physical or mental impairment that substantially limited one or more of his major life activities, nor was he regarded by Hamm as having such an impairment. Accordingly, Hamm argues that the district court erred by denying its renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law on the ADA claim.1 In reviewing a district court's disposition of a renewed 1 Because we conclude that there is insufficient evidence in the record to support a finding that Gordon is a qualified individual with a disability under the ADA, we need not address Hamm's other contentions. motion for judgment as a matter of law, an appellate court employs the same standard utilized by the district court in determining whether to grant the motion. Walker v. NationsBank of Florida, 53 F.3d 1548, 1555 (11th Cir.1995). In determining whether to grant such a motion, a court should consider all of the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and with all reasonable inferences drawn in favor of such party. Id. at 1555; MacPherson v. University of Montevallo, 922 F.2d 766, 770 (11th Cir.1991). If the facts and inferences are so strong that a court opines that reasonable persons in the exercise of impartial judgment could not arrive at a contrary verdict, a district court must grant a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law. Id. If, however, the evidence is such that reasonable and fairminded individuals in the exercise of impartial judgment might reach different conclusions, a court must deny the motion. Id. Nevertheless, a jury question does not exist because of the presence of a mere scintilla of evidence; rather, there must be a conflict in substantial evidence to create a question for the jury. Walker, 53 F.3d at 1555; Verbraeken v. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 881 F.2d 1041, 1045 (11th Cir.1989).