Opinion ID: 164589
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Leave taken for stress and high blood pressure

Text: 9 On June 26, 1997, Mr. Montgomery began suffering from intense headaches and blurred vision. Around this time, Mr. Montgomery discovered that District Attorney Gary Henry had accused him of interfering with the criminal investigation of the former Chief of Police. Interim Chief Beene sent Mr. Montgomery home, and Mr. Montgomery sought treatment for stress and high blood pressure. Mr. Montgomery alleges that the City knew of his condition and that he sought medical treatment. 10 On the following day, District Attorney Henry's statements regarding Mr. Montgomery's alleged interference were published in the local newspaper. Two days later, the FOP published a response, urging Mr. Montgomery to cooperate with the investigation. 11 Mr. Montgomery continued to exhibit stress-related symptoms, and he left for extended medical leave on July 1, 1997. He was placed on medication and visited a counselor regularly. Mr. Montgomery had not been on similar medication during the two and a half years before his leave. On July 6, 1997, the City reclaimed its vehicle from him. 12 On August 8, 1997, Mr. Montgomery was informed that he would no longer be paid and that his medical insurance would be terminated. Because the City had objected to Mr. Montgomery's eligibility for receipt of long-term disability designation of benefits, Mr. Montgomery took short-term disability leave through the police pension system. Aplt's App. vol. II, at 377 (Pre-trial order), id. at 744-46. 13 In May 1998, Mr. Montgomery contends, he met with the acting Chief, who told him that he would be welcomed back to work once he received a doctor's release. On June 23, 1998, Mr. Montgomery filed a notice of tort claim with the City. During the leave, he also filed a workers compensation case and requested compensation due to high blood pressure. The claim was denied, and on July 22, 1998, Mr. Montgomery appealed the decision. 14 Throughout the course of the summer of 1998, Mr. Montgomery asserts he was unable to obtain a release from his doctors and counselors to return to work. He anticipated receiving a doctor's note allowing him to return to work in September 1998. 15 On August 24, 1998, Mr. Montgomery telephoned then-Deputy Chief Beene and asked about returning to work in September. According to Mr. Montgomery, Deputy Chief Beene replied that the City would not let Mr. Montgomery return. He advised Mr. Montgomery to speak to the new Chief of Police, Tony Garrett, concerning his return to work. 16 On the same day, Mr. Montgomery testified, he contacted Chief Garrett, who told him that his rank had been done away with, but that Mr. Montgomery had not been terminated. Aple's Supp.App. at 157; Aplt's App. vol. II, at 377 (pre-trial order). Mr. Montgomery claims that he became first aware of his termination on February 15, 2000, when he received a copy of a personnel action form. 17 According to the City, on August 15, 1998, Mr. Montgomery was terminated from his employment pursuant to Section 1116.9 of the Employee Handbook of the City of Ardmore. Aplt's App. vol. II, at 435. Section 1116.9 of the handbook provides that after receipt of long term disability benefits for 365 days, an employee is terminated. The Personnel Action Form documenting this action was dated September 28, 1998, with an effective date of August 15, 1998. 18 At all times relevant, the City and the FOP operated under a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which established a grievance procedure for FOP members. However, Mr. Montgomery did not file a grievance under the CBA. He also did not seek representation from the FOP. He did leave a telephone message for FOP President Milton Anthony. According to Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Anthony never tried to return [his] call. Aplt's App. vol. II, at 746. Mr. Montgomery never communicated directly with Mr. Anthony and made no further efforts to contact the FOP, although he did try to enlist the help of other union members.