Opinion ID: 1930702
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Landesberg's Retaliatory Discharge Claim

Text: Landesberg argues that the hearing examiner, in finding that she voluntarily resigned as opposed to being constructively discharged, failed to consider evidence she presented of the company's animus towards her. Specifically, she alleges that the hearing examiner ignored evidence that WMATA's general counsel believed that she was making fraudulent insurance claims for long term disability benefits and that the WMATA claims department manipulated Dr. Stark's medical report contrary to company policy. She also claims that WMATA's failure to remove her from some but not all of her assigned cases recognized her disability while setting her up for failure. Despite her representations on appeal, however, Landesberg, has failed to cite any record support for her contention that she presented such evidence to the hearing examiner. It is not our obligation to comb through the voluminous record in this case to determine whether there is any evidence to support her argument. Further, in reviewing the Compensation Order issued in this case, the hearing examiner found that Landesberg failed to establish a prima facie showing of retaliatory discharge. According to the hearing examiner, Landesberg's claim of retaliatory discharge was based on the following facts: she filed a claim for worker's compensation; WMATA voluntarily paid temporary total benefits from July 16, 1992 until October 21, 1992; WMATA would not let her use sick leave during that time period; and WMATA required her to return to work on October 22, 1992, despite her contention that she was still disabled. The hearing examiner found that Landesberg's evidence of alleged animus was insufficient to establish a prima facie case of retaliatory discharge because the employer's order for Landesberg to return to full, unrestricted work was made pursuant to a bona fide physician's evaluation that cleared her for full, unrestricted duty. Given the facts outlined above, the hearing examiner did not err in concluding that Landesberg failed to establish a prima facie case of retaliatory discharge. [9] Accordingly the decision of DOES is affirmed in part, and reversed and remanded in part. So ordered.