Court Opinion

ID: 3035825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:53:16.820874+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:47:53.915346
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                          FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                  ___________

                                  No. 03-3957
                                  ___________

George Beasley,                        *
                                       *
             Plaintiff–Appellant,      *
                                       *
      v.                               *    Appeal from the United States
                                       *    District Court for the Eastern
City of Marion Arkansas;               *   District of Arkansas.
Frank Fogleman,                        *
Mayor of Marion, Arkansas              *    (UNPUBLISHED)
individually and in his official       *
capacity,                              *
                                       *
             Defendants–Appellees.     *
                                  ___________

                            Submitted: September 17, 2004
                               Filed: September 22, 2004
                                ___________

Before MURPHY, MCMILLIAN, and BENTON, Circuit Judges.
                         ____________

PER CURIAM.

      George Beasley brought this employment disability action under the Americans
with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the Arkansas Civil Rights Act, alleging that he
was unlawfully terminated by the City of Marion. The district court1 granted

      1
       The Honorable James M. Moody, Judge, United States District Court for
the Eastern District of Arkansas.
summary judgment to the city on his federal claim and declined to exercise
jurisdiction over the state claim. The court concluded that Beasley failed to
demonstrate that he was disabled under federal law, and Beasley appeals that
decision. We affirm.

      Beasley argues that he was disabled due to a work related injury and that he
was terminated because of that disability. Beasley injured his knee after slipping on
ice while doing welding work for the city. He was sent by his supervisor to receive
medical attention and later referred to a specialist who advised that he not work for
two weeks. Beasley never returned to his job and failed to maintain direct contact
with his supervisor before his termination. The city terminated him for abandoning
his position.

       In order to establish a prima facie case of discrimination under the Act, Beasley
had to "establish that (1) he is disabled within the meaning of the [statute]; (2) he is
qualified to perform the essential functions of his job with or without reasonable
accommodation; and (3) he suffered an adverse employment action under
circumstances that give rise to an inference of unlawful discrimination based on
disability." Dropinski v. Douglas County, 298 F.3d 704, 706-07 (8th Cir. 2002).
Disability is defined under the statute to include "(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) (2000).

       Beasley did not make a showing sufficient to establish disability under federal
law. Although he alleged a seven percent impairment of his lower left leg and an
inability to engage in some physical activities, he did not demonstrate a substantial
limit on any major life activity. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(A); Toyota Motor Mfg., Ky.
v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 195 (2002). He admitted to working in car repair and
furniture delivery following his injury, and he presented no evidence that the city

                                           -2-
regarded him as having a substantial impairment. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2)(C). We
conclude that the district court did not err in granting summary judgment to the city.

      The judgment of the district court is affirmed.
                     ______________________________

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