Court Opinion

ID: 3027720
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:38:55.098338+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:40:35.547303
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                             FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                 ________________

                                    No. 00-2941
                                 ________________

Randall Herbert Webner,                    *
                                           *
             Appellee,                     *
                                           *       Appeal from the United States
      v.                                   *       District Court for the
                                           *       Northern District of Iowa.
Titan Distribution, Inc,                   *
                                           *          [PUBLISHED]
             Appellant.                    *

                                 ________________

                                 Submitted: April 13, 2001
                                     Filed: October 9, 2001
                                 ________________

Before MCMILLIAN, LOKEN, and HANSEN, Circuit Judges.
                       ________________

HANSEN, Circuit Judge.

       Randall Webner sued his employer, Titan Distribution, Inc. (Titan), alleging
that Titan had discriminated against him in violation of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213 (1994 & Supp. IV 1998), and also
asserted a state law claim that Titan retaliated against him by terminating his
employment after he filed a workers' compensation claim. The jury agreed as to both
claims, returning a verdict in Webner's favor and awarding him compensatory and
punitive damages. After the district court entered judgment on the verdict, Titan
moved for judgment as a matter of law or, alternatively, a new trial, which the district
court denied. We affirm the jury's liability finding on both the ADA claim and the
supplemental state law retaliation claim, affirm the award of emotional distress
damages, but reverse the jury's award of punitive damages.

                                           I.

        The record, when viewed in the light most favorable to Webner, shows the
following facts. Webner began his association with Titan in 1991 while he was
employed by Titan's predecessor, Neiman's, in Ventura, Iowa. Neiman's was a
family-owned business specializing in brake and actuator assemblies that were
mounted onto trailers. Neiman's primary customer was Titan, which ultimately
purchased the Ventura facility in 1996. Webner's first job at Neiman's was as a truck
driver charged with delivering axles, tires, and brake parts. In 1994, Webner suffered
a work-related herniated disk in his back while unloading tires from his truck.
Webner had surgery and was off work recovering for six months. Three months after
returning to work in 1995, he suffered another work-related back injury while driving
a truck with a broken seat. Doctors diagnosed Webner with a new herniated disk in
his back. Webner underwent a second back surgery in March 1996 where doctors
inserted a metal plate into his back. The second surgery left Webner with severe pain
in his left leg and numbness in his foot. In July 1996, doctors removed the plate from
Webner's back in hopes of ameliorating his pain and numbness. After extensive
rehabilitation, Webner was able to return to work full time at Titan in January 1997--a
year and a half after his second injury. Because Webner's former truck driving
position had been eliminated when Titan purchased the Neiman's facility, Titan
assigned Webner to the assembly line. Webner's physician imposed several work
restrictions upon his return, including a lifting restriction that allowed him to lift up
to 50 pounds on occasion, up to 35 pounds more frequently, and 15 to 25 pounds
continuously. Webner was also restricted from twisting and bending no more than
12 times per hour.

                                           2
      During his first month back to work, Webner was having to bend and twist
frequently when retrieving parts used on the assembly line. As a result, he had back
spasms and was in constant pain. Webner's physician ordered him to take an
approximate two-week leave from work and seek physical therapy. Upon return to
Titan, Webner was required to obtain a medical release from the company's
orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Lynn Nelson. Dr. Nelson further restricted Webner's lifting
capacity to no more than 15 pounds regularly, 25 pounds occasionally, and a
maximum of 50 pounds. Dr. Nelson also imposed a graduated work schedule
beginning with a five-hour work day and increasing to an eight-hour day over a four-
week period. Webner returned to work on March 10, 1997. Titan provided Webner
with a stool and elevated his work station to decrease the strain on his back.
Subsequent to these accommodations, Webner's back discomfort decreased and his
daily productivity as measured by the number of pieces he assembled was at an
acceptable rate.1

        While Webner was recovering from his second surgery, he filed a workers'
compensation claim. On February 24, 1997, in connection with the investigation of
this claim, Webner's attorney requested permission to videotape Webner's work
station at Titan. Titan refused this request, stating that videotaping its facilities was
against company policy. Webner filed a motion on March 26, 1997, to compel Titan
to allow the videotaping. On March 31, 1997, Webner's supervisor at Titan informed
him that he was being terminated "due to [his] disability." (Appellee's App. at 61.)
Webner was told that Titan had no positions to offer him that "fit [his] disability."
(Id. at 62.)

      1
        Titan provided employees with a standard number of parts it expected to be
produced on both a daily and hourly basis. Titan told Webner that his productivity
goal would be 75%. Generally, Titan expected that employees would produce at a
rate of 85-90%.
                                           3
       Webner brought suit against Titan in October 1997, alleging Titan had violated
the ADA and had retaliated against him for filing a workers' compensation claim in
violation of Iowa law. Webner asserted that he was disabled within the meaning of
the ADA because he was substantially limited in a major life activity, had a record of
an impairment, and was regarded as impaired by Titan. On February 17, 2000,
following a four-day trial, the jury awarded Webner $13,771 for lost wages and
$25,000 for emotional distress damages. The jury also awarded Webner a total of
$200,000 in punitive damages--$100,000 on each claim. The district court denied
Titan's motion for judgment as a matter of law and for a new trial. Titan appeals the
district court's order.

                                         II.

                                  A. ADA Claim

       On appeal, Titan first challenges the finding that Webner was discriminated
against, contending that Webner failed to establish a prima facie case under the ADA.
We review the district court's denial of judgment as a matter of law de novo.
Browning v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 178 F.3d 1043, 1047 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 528
U.S. 1050 (1999). We apply the same standard as the district court, viewing all the
facts in Webner's favor and granting him all reasonable inferences. See Buckles v.
First Data Res., Inc., 176 F.3d 1098, 1100 (8th Cir. 1999). "A jury verdict must be
affirmed unless, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing
party, we conclude that a reasonable jury could have not found for that party." Cross
v. Cleaver, 142 F.3d 1059, 1066 (8th Cir. 1998) (internal quotations omitted).

      A party seeking relief under the ADA must establish by a preponderance of the
evidence that he (1) is disabled within the meaning of the act; (2) is qualified to
perform the essential functions of his job with or without a reasonable
accommodation; and (3) was terminated because of his disability. Aucutt v. Six Flags

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over Mid-Am., Inc., 85 F.3d 1311, 1318 (8th Cir. 1996). Titan contends that the court
should have granted its motion for judgment as a matter of law because Webner's
impairment is not a disability as defined by the ADA. The ADA defines a disability
as: "(A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the
major life activities of such individual; (B) a record of such an impairment; or (C)
being regarded as having such an impairment." 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2); see Sutton v.
United Air Lines, Inc., 527 U.S. 471, 478 (1999) (requiring actual, and not potential,
limitation in order to establish a disability). Guidelines promulgated by the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) delineate several factors to assist in
determining whether a disability comes within the protections accorded by the ADA,
including the nature and severity of the impairment, the duration or expected duration
of the impairment, and the long-term impact resulting from the impairment. 29
C.F.R. § 1630.2(j)(2).

       Examining the evidence under the required standard, we hold that Webner
presented evidence that could have allowed a rational jury to determine that his
disability substantially limited one or more of his major life activities. A major life
activity includes "caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working." 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(i). We
have previously recognized sitting, standing, lifting, and reaching to be considered
major life activities. Helfter v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 115 F.3d 613, 616 (8th
Cir.1997); see also Bragdon v. Abbott, 524 U.S. 624, 639 (1998) (emphasizing that
the regulations provide an illustrative, rather than exhaustive, list of major life
activities). To be substantially limited, a person must be unable to perform a major
life activity that the average person in the general population can perform, or be
significantly limited in the condition, manner, or duration under which the individual
can perform that activity as compared to an average person in the general population.
Weber v. Strippit, Inc., 186 F.3d 907, 913 (8th Cir. 1999) (citing 29 C.F.R. §
1630.2(j)(1)), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 1078 (2000). Webner testified at trial that his
back injury limited his ability to walk, to stand for long periods of time, to twist, and

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to bend at the waist without pain, which ultimately affected his ability to work. The
jury also heard testimony from Dr. Nelson, stating that Webner had an impairment
rating of 18% of the body as a whole after his three back surgeries, was only
authorized to return to work incrementally subject to bending and lifting restrictions,
and required physical therapy.

       Furthermore, an individual is substantially limited in his ability to work under
the ADA if the impairment "significantly restrict[s]" the individual's "ability to
perform either a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes as compared
to the average person having comparable training, skills and abilities." 29 C.F.R. §
1630.2(j)(3)(i). At trial, a vocational expert testified on Webner's behalf that because
of Webner's back injury, he was precluded from performing work that fell in the
heavy and very heavy industrial classifications. These two classifications required
the ability to lift in excess of Webner's lifting restriction of 50 pounds. While a lifting
restriction standing alone is insufficient to demonstrate that Webner was substantially
limited in the life activity of working, the inability to lift heavy objects can translate
across a broad spectrum of physically demanding jobs. See, e.g., Cochrum v. Old
Ben Coal Co., 102 F.3d 908, 911 (7th Cir. 1996) ("The physical restrictions
[plaintiff's] physician placed upon him--no overhead work, heavy lifting, or pulling
or pushing out from his body--might apply to a broad range of jobs, and are more than
job specific."). Viewing all of the evidence which shows how Webner's back injury
impacted him in his favor, we conclude that a reasonable jury could have determined
that Webner's back injury had substantially limited his ability to work, to twist, to
bend, and to stand, in addition to limiting his ability to lift. Because we hold that a
reasonable jury could find Webner had a physical impairment that substantially
limited one or more of his major life activities, we decline to address his alternative
theories of disability that he advanced at trial.

       Moreover, there is no merit to Titan's argument that the evidence was
insufficient to allow a jury finding that Webner is a qualified individual who could

                                            6
perform the essential functions of his job. A qualified individual must possess the
requisite skill, experience, education and other job-related requirements for the
position and must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or
without reasonable accommodation. 42 U.S.C. § 12111(8); 29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(m);
Benson v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 62 F.3d 1108, 1111-12 (8th Cir. 1995). Webner
was able to perform his assembly line job when Titan provided him with a stool and
elevated his workstation. The use of a stool allowed Webner to remain seated while
assembling cylinders along the line, which prevented him from having to bend or
stand. Webner testified that he was able to perform his assembly duties and never
expressed otherwise to Titan. Webner was told that he was doing what was expected
of him by his supervisor, and Titan admits that Webner was meeting his production
goals the week Titan terminated him. Titan counters by arguing that Webner may
well have been proficient at light-assembly work, but he was unable to assemble
heavier objects, which Titan cites as an essential requirement for one of its assembly
workers. We conclude that a reasonable juror could conclude otherwise given the
testimony of Webner's supervisor that performance of all the jobs on the assembly
line was not required.

                          B. State Law Retaliation Claim

      Titan contends that the evidence was insufficient for the jury to find that Titan
fired Webner for requesting to videotape his workstation in pursuit of a workers'
compensation claim. A claim of retaliatory discharge under Iowa law requires a
prima facie showing that (1) the employee engaged in a protected activity; (2) an
adverse employment action occurred; and (3) a causal link exists between the
protected activity and the adverse action. Teachout v. Forest City Cmty. Sch. Dist.,
584 N.W.2d 296, 299 (Iowa 1998). The Supreme Court of Iowa has recognized that
when an employee is terminated in retaliation for asserting his right to workers'
compensation benefits, a public policy is violated. Below v. Skarr, 569 N.W.2d 510,
511 (Iowa 1997); Springer v. Weeks & Leo Co., 429 N.W.2d 558, 559-60 (Iowa

                                          7
1988). Webner was obligated to prove to the jury that his protected conduct of
seeking workers' compensation benefits was a determining factor in Titan's decision
to terminate his employment. See McMahon v. Mid-Am. Constr. Co., No. 99-1741,
2000 WL 1587952, at *3 (Iowa Ct. App. Oct. 25, 2000). "A factor is determinative
if it is the reason that tips the scales decisively one way or the other, even if it is not
the predominant reason behind the employer's decision." Teachout, 584 N.W.2d at
302.

        It is possible that Webner requested to videotape his work station for reasons
wholly unrelated to the injury incurred while driving a truck for Neiman's, which was
the subject of the filed workers' compensation claim at issue. However, the timing
of his termination in relation to his videotape request provides circumstantial
evidence of a causal connection between the two events. Webner was fired four days
after he filed his motion to compel Titan to allow him to videotape his workstation.
We agree with Titan's assertion that timing of an adverse employment action standing
alone is insufficient to support a retaliatory discharge claim, see id.; but there is more
to this case than timing. Titan presented evidence that Webner's request to videotape
his workstation had no bearing on the termination decision. Webner's supervisor,
William Gibbons, conceded on cross-examination, however, that Webner's request
to videotape "pushed the decision [to terminate Webner] over the edge." (Appellee's
App. at 78.) When Gibbons informed his superior, Mark Borell, of Webner's intent
to videotape his workstation, Borell uttered a profane remark. We refuse to second-
guess the jury who, in light of its verdict, credited Webner's evidence over that of
Titan's. Because a reasonable jury could have found that the request to videotape in
connection with a workers' compensation investigation tipped the scales toward firing
Webner, we uphold the jury's verdict on the retaliation charge.

       We conclude that there is sufficient evidence from which a reasonable jury
could conclude that Titan intentionally discriminated against Webner on the basis of
his disability and terminated his employment in relation to his filing a workers'

                                            8
compensation claim. As Webner has met the required evidentiary threshold, we
affirm the liability verdict.

                                     C. Damages

       Titan also argues that the jury rationally could not have awarded Webner
$12,500 in emotional distress damages for each of his two claims because he
established no serious emotional injuries stemming from his discharge.
"Compensatory 'damages for emotional distress must be supported by competent
evidence of "genuine injury."'" Foster v. Time Warner Entm't Co., 250 F.3d 1189,
1196 (8th Cir. 2001) (quoting Forshee v. Waterloo Indus., Inc., 178 F.3d 527, 531
(8th Cir. 1999)). To prove emotional distress in relation to his ADA claim, Webner
was not required to present medical or other expert evidence. See Kim v. Nash Finch
Co., 123 F.3d 1046, 1065 (8th Cir. 1997). Instead, "[a] plaintiff's own testimony,
along with the circumstances of a particular case, can suffice to sustain the plaintiff's
burden in this regard." Hammond v. Northland Counseling Ctr., Inc., 218 F.3d 886,
893 (8th Cir. 2000) (internal quotations omitted). Webner was obligated to offer
specific facts as to the nature of his claimed emotional distress and the causal
connection to Titan's alleged violations. See Browning v. President Riverboat
Casino-Missouri, Inc., 139 F.3d 631, 636 (8th Cir. 1998).

       Webner testified that he was emotionally devastated by losing his job--a
termination Titan told him explicitly was because of his disability. He testified that
immediately after he was terminated he felt "empty," like he lost his best friend and
that there was "a hole in his chest." (Appellant's App. at 171, 176.) He also testified
that he was scared that he would be unable to pay his bills and was frustrated with his
inability to find other regular work for six months. Titan contends that Webner's self-
serving testimony about his reaction after he was terminated is insufficient to sustain
the jury's award of emotional distress damages. We disagree. As previously stated

                                           9
a plaintiff's own testimony may provide ample evidence when heard in combination
with the circumstances surrounding the plaintiff's termination. Furthermore,
"[a]wards for pain and suffering are highly subjective and the assessment of damages
is within the sound discretion of the jury, especially when the jury must determine
how to compensate an individual for an injury not easily calculable in economic
terms." Jenkins v. McLean Hotels, Inc., 859 F.2d 598, 600 (8th Cir. 1988) (internal
citations and quotations omitted). We will not disturb the jury's award of emotional
distress damages to Webner on his disability claim.

        We also uphold the jury's award of emotional distress damage on his state law
retaliation claim. The Supreme Court of Iowa has held that emotional distress
damages are recoverable for a retaliatory discharge provided there is some evidence
to support the claim, but the distress need not be severe. Niblo v. Parr Mfg., Inc., 445
N.W.2d 351, 356-57 (Iowa 1989). The court observed that "[h]umiliation, wounded
pride, and the like may cause very acute mental anguish" and therefore is recoverable.
Id. at 355 (internal quotations omitted). Webner presented evidence of his emotional
difficulties to the jury which was charged with determining whether he suffered
genuine emotional harm. We cannot say its determination was irrational.

       Titan further contends that there was insufficient evidence to support the
punitive damages award on either the ADA claim or the retaliation claim. We agree.
"Federal law imposes a formidable burden on plaintiffs who seek punitive damages"
in employment discrimination cases. Henderson v. Simmons Foods, Inc., 217 F.3d
612, 618 (8th Cir. 2000). Punitive damages are warranted where the plaintiff shows
that the defendant engaged in a discriminatory practice "with malice or with reckless
indifference" to the plaintiff's federally protected rights. 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(1)
(1994); see Kolstad v. Am. Dental Ass'n, 527 U.S. 526, 535 (1999); Ogden v. Wax
Works, Inc., 214 F.3d 999, 1008 (8th Cir. 2000). "The terms 'malice' or 'reckless
indifference' pertain to the employer's knowledge that it may be acting in violation
of federal law, not its awareness that it is engaging in discrimination." Kolstad, 527

                                          10
U.S. at. 535. In Kolstad, the Supreme Court delineated specific situations in which,
despite the employer's discrimination, the application of punitive damages is
inappropriate: (1) the employer is unaware of the relevant federal prohibition; (2) the
employer discriminates in the belief that the discrimination is lawful; (3) the
underlying theory of discrimination may be novel or poorly recognized; or (4) the
"employer may reasonably believe that its discrimination satisfies a bona fide
occupational qualification defense." Id. at 536-37.

       Although we have found the evidence sufficient to support the jury's finding
that Titan's actions were unlawfully discriminatory, there was no evidence of malice
or insufficient evidence of reckless indifference on Titan's part. Titan's stated reasons
for terminating Webner--that his back injury precluded him from performing all but
light duty tasks, Titan was fearful that Webner would reinjure his back, and Titan did
not have a job suited to his disability--while culpable, do not rise to the level of
maliciousness required to sustain the jury's award of punitive damages. Instead,
Titan's actions are consistent with an employer acting to protect itself against the
possible sporadic absence of an employee.

       Under Iowa law, punitive damages are appropriate when "by a preponderance
of clear, convincing, and satisfactory evidence, the conduct of the defendant from
which the claim arose constituted willful and wanton disregard for the rights or safety
of another." Iowa Code § 668A.1(1)(a) (2001). "Willful and wanton" in the context
of this statute means that the defendant "'has intentionally done an act of an
unreasonable character in disregard of a known or obvious risk that was so great as
to make it highly probable that harm would follow, and which is usually accompanied
by a conscious indifference to the consequences.'" Mercer v. Pittway Corp., 616
N.W.2d 602, 617 (Iowa 2000) (quoting W. Page Keeton et al., Prosser & Keeton on
the Law of Torts § 34, at 213 (5th ed. 1984)). Punitive damages are proper only when
actual or legal malice is shown. Schultz v. Sec. Nat'l Bank, 583 N.W.2d 886, 888
(Iowa 1998). Actual malice is established by such characteristics as personal spite,

                                           11
hatred, or ill will. Id. "Legal malice is shown by wrongful conduct committed or
continued with a willful or reckless disregard for another's rights." McClure v.
Walgreen Co., 613 N.W.2d 225, 231 (Iowa 2000). Here, as with Webner's federal
claim, the evidence does not reveal willful or reckless disregard for Webner's rights;
nor does the record show any personal spite or ill will toward Webner. Although
Titan refused to allow Webner to videotape his workstation until the court compelled
its compliance, Titan did so in furtherance of the company policy to protect its trade
secrets.

      In sum, we conclude that the evidence did not show that punitive damages were
warranted and therefore we vacate the jury's award of such damages.

                                 D. Attorneys' Fees

       Titan argues that the district court erred when it awarded Webner attorneys'
fees for the services of two attorneys providing what Titan describes as duplicative
services. We review a district court's award of attorneys' fees for an abuse of
discretion. Am. Fed'n of Musicians, Local 2-197 v. St. Louis Symphony Soc'y, 203
F.3d 1079, 1081 (8th Cir. 2000). Webner had two attorneys present at his
depositions: one attorney specialized in workers' compensation matters while the
second attorney specialized in employment discrimination. Titan argues that having
two attorneys present at the same depositions is unnecessary and duplicative. The
district court reasoned that it was not unreasonable for both attorneys to be present
at the depositions and was actually more efficient because the ADA and retaliation
issues were closely related. Titan further contends that the district court should have
reduced the attorneys' fees by 50% because Iowa law does not provide for an award
of attorneys' fees in a wrongful termination case. The district court agreed in part and
reduced the amount of fees Webner sought but by only 10%. The court concluded
that the evidence Webner submitted was interrelated and overlapped between the two
claims, therefore further reduction was not appropriate. The district court provided

                                          12
a well-reasoned analysis for its award of attorneys' fees. The Supreme Court has
made clear that "the most critical factor" in determining the reasonableness of a fee
award in a civil rights suit where the core of facts is the same "is the degree of success
obtained." Tex. State Teachers Ass'n v. Garland Indep. Sch. Dist., 489 U.S. 782, 789
(1989) (internal quotations omitted). Webner prevailed in this litigation.
Consequently, we are persuaded by the district court's well-reasoned opinion and
affirm its award of attorneys' fees.

                                           III.

       For the reasons explained above, we reverse the district court's denial of Titan's
motion for judgment as a matter of law as to the punitive damages awarded on both
the ADA claim and the state law retaliation claim. In all other respects, we affirm the
judgment of the district court. Accordingly, we remand to the district court for an
entry of judgment consistent with this opinion.

      A true copy.

             Attest:

                     CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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