Court Opinion

ID: 9657328
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 20:20:46.873679+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:13:43.577824
License: Public Domain

VERGERONT, J.
¶ 30. (dissenting). I disagree with the analysis and conclusion of the majority opinion. Whether the conduct that led to Schneider's dismissal was caused by his obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a question of fact. I conclude that Cameron is qualified to testify as an expert both on whether Schneider has OCD and on the symptoms he manifests that are caused by OCD. Cameron testified that Schneider has OCD, and, as the majority states, Wal-Mart concedes that Schneider has a disability within the meaning of the statute. Cameron also testified:
A. ... I remember telling [Schneider's supervisor] that [Schneider] was in crisis from the standpoint that his medication was, was not holding him, that *232as part of his disorder, being the obsessive-compulsive disorder, that he was highly reactive. And anger is so much a part of the predominant symptom when the medications are not appropriate to address the symptoms. So we were in the process of getting him on different medications and trying to alleviate the high reactiveness of Jim Schneider.
Q. Did you talk with [Schneider's supervisor] about the obsessive-compulsive disorder and explain it to him?
A. I don't remember exactly how much in depth I went with him, but I remember telling [him] something to the effect that [Schneider] is highly affective. He doesn't like being that way; it is part of his disorder. And that's the part we're addressing in therapy but therapy is not sufficient for him. He is one of those clients that needs medication as well.
¶ 31. Given our deferential standard of review of the factual findings of the commission, I conclude that Cameron's deposition testimony is sufficient for a reasonable person acting reasonably to decide that being highly reactive and quick to anger are symptoms of Schneider's OCD. I conclude that testimony, together with Schneider's testimony, is sufficient to permit a reasonable person acting reasonably to decide that his "outburst" at the meeting was caused by his OCD. I agree with the majority that Schneider's testimony alone is not sufficient to establish that his conduct at the meeting was caused by his OCD. However, I do not agree it is necessary for Cameron or some other expert to specifically opine that Schneider's conduct at the meeting was caused by his OCD in order for the commission to make that finding. Therefore, I respectfully dissent. Were I writing for the majority, I would affirm the commission's finding that the behavior for which *233Schneider was fired was caused by his OCD, and proceed to decide the other issues Wal-Mart raises on appeal. Because I am writing in dissent, I confine my comments to the issue decided in the majority opinion.