Document: 527 U.S. 516119 S.Ct. 2133144 L.Ed.2d 484 SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES119 2133 No. 97-1992 VAUGHN L. MURPHY, Petitioner v. PARCEL SERVICE, INC. ON WRIT CERTIORARI TO STATES APPEALS FOR TENTH CIRCUIT [June 22, 1999] Justice O'Connor delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Respondent United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), dismissed petitioner Vaughn Murphy from his job as a UPS mechanic because high blood pressure. filed suit under Title I Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA or Act), 104 Stat. 328, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., in Federal District The Court granted summary judgment to respondent, and Appeals for Tenth Circuit affirmed. We must decide whether correctly considered medicated state when it held that petitioner's impairment does not "substantially limi[t]" one more major life activities determined is "regarded disabled." See §12102(2). In light our decision Sutton Air Lines, Inc., ante, p. ____, we conclude Appeals' resolution both issues was correct. 2 * first diagnosed hypertension (high pressure) he 10 years old. Unmedicated, pressure approximately 250/160. With medication, however, "hypertension significantly restrict . general can function normally engage other persons do." 946 F. Supp. 872, 875 (Kan. 1996) (discussing testimony physician). 3 August 1994, respondent hired mechanic, position required drive commercial motor vehicles. challenge Court's conclusion driving vehicle an essential mechanic's at UPS. Supp., 882-883. To such vehicles, had satisfy certain health requirements imposed by Department Transportation (DOT). 49 CFR 391.41(a) (1998) ("A person shall unless he/she physically qualified do so has on his/her medical examiner's certificate vehicle"). One requirement driver interstate commerce have "no current clinical diagnosis likely interfere ability operate safely." §391.41(b)(6). 4 At time him, high, measuring 186/124, DOT certification, see App. 98a-102a (Department Transportation, Medical Regulatory Criteria Evaluation Under Section 391.41(b)(6), attached exhibit Affidavit Testimony John R. McMahon) (hereinafter Criteria). Nonetheless, erroneously commenced work. September Supervisor who reviewing files discovered error requested retested. Upon retesting, measured 160/102 164/104. 48a (testimony Murphy). On October 5, fired belief exceeded DOT's drivers 5 brought ADA States Kansas. court respondent's motion judgment. It that, determine disabled ADA, "impairment should be evaluated its state." 881. Noting inhibited only lifting heavy objects but otherwise functions normally, "disabled" ADA. Id., 881-882. also rejected claim as" disabled, holding "did regard certifiable regulations." 882. 6 affirmed 141 F.3d 1185 (CA10 1999) (judgt. order). Citing 130 893, 902 1997), aff'd, ___ (1999), individual claiming disability assessed any mitigating corrective measures employed, doctor testified medicated, " 'functions doing everyday activity does.' Pet. Cert. 4a. determination explained did terminate "on unsubstantiated fear would suffer heart attack stroke," "because vehicles." 5a. certiorari, 525 U.S.____ now affirm. II 7 question presented this case made reference employs. answered affirmative. Given holding, result clear. concluded substantially limit him activity. seek, grant, certiorari Because taking medication before us, no occasion here consider due limitations persist despite negative side effects medication. Instead, limited whether, individual's limits" without consideration measures. Consequently, grant favor thus III 8 second issue largely resolved Sutton. argues erred As Sutton, 15, within meaning if covered entity mistakenly believes person's actual, nonlimiting limits activities. Here, alleges regarded limiting working, fact not. support claim, points resource manager hypertension, which claims evidences hypertension-and consequent inability obtain certification-substantially response, working but, rather, regards unqualified work unable certification. 9 preliminary matter, note there remains some dispute meets discussed above, incorrectly certification examination instead been found unqualified. supra, 2. although low enough qualify one-year issued, sufficient optional temporary (Medical Had physician examined and, history, declined second-guess decision. appears could meet standards allow attempt 84a-86a Monica Sloan, UPS's company nurse); id., 54a-55a affidavit need resolve goes defense based regulations, Albertsons Kirkingburg, post, ____-issues addressed below raised petition certiorari. remaining evidence (regardless can, fact, certification) create genuine material 18-19, assume, arguendo, EEOC regulations regarding are valid. When referring Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines as: "significantly restricted perform either class jobs broad range various classes compared average having comparable training, skills abilities." 29 §1630(j)(3)(i) (1998). further identifies several factors courts determining including "the number types utilizing similar knowledge, abilities, [the] geographical area [reasonably accessible individual], disqualified." §1630(j)(3)(ii)(B). Thus, precluded than particular job. ("The single, constitute substantial limitation working"). 11 Again, assuming deciding these valid, failed demonstrate disabled. physical impairment-hypertension-that preventing obtaining 5a (UPS terminated "his vehicles"); 882 ("[T]he concludes regulations"); 125a, ¶18 (Defendant's Memorandum Support Motion Summary Judgment) ("UPS considers vehicles plaintiff 's mechanic"); 103a (stating reason why Transportation"). 12 skills. most, shown requires vehicle-a specific type used highway commerce. 390.5 (defining "commercial vehicle" weighing over 10,000 pounds, designed carry 16 passengers, transportation hazardous materials). put forward call require Indeed, undisputed generally employable mechanic. "performed certification" "over 22 years," secured another shortly after leaving 875, 876. Moreover, uncontroverted diesel automotive gas-engine repairer, gas-welding equipment all utilize mechanical 115a (report Lewis Vierling). 13 array available those skills, show jobs. Rather, record demonstrates is, This insufficient, matter law, prove working. 19-20. Accordingly, For reasons stated, affirm Circuit. 14 ordered. DISSENTING OPINION 15 Stevens, whom Breyer joins, dissenting. stated my dissenting ___, respectfully dissent. believe "disability" because, uncontested true, very severe hypertension-in unmedicated state-"substantially Without hospitalized. 81. unlike scarcely us speculate Congress intended cover individuals impairment. Severe view, easily falls ADA's nucleus impairments. 3-9 (Stevens, J., dissenting). 17 address functions, 5a, reverse remand proceedings.

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