Case: EEOC v. YELLOW FREIGHT SYSTEMS, INC.

1:98-cv-02270 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: March 30, 1998

Closed Date: Sept. 13, 2002

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In March 1998, the EEOC's New York City office filed this suit against Yellow Freight Systems, Inc., a trucking and transportation company, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging discrimination based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Specifically, the EEOC alleged that the defendant had failed to make a reasonable accommodation for an employee who had suffered a back injury and was unable to sit for long periods of time. Following two failed summary judgment motions and three and a half years, a magistrate judge ruled in the EEOC's favor in a bench trial in September 2002. The defendant was ordered to pay $156,867 in back pay including another $43,875.66 in pre-judgment interest and $50,000 in punitive damages.

Summary Authors

Jason Chester (7/7/2007)

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

1:98-cv-02270

Docket (PACER)

EEOC v. Yellow Freight

Nov. 27, 2002

Nov. 27, 2002

Docket

Office of General Counsel Annual Report (FY 2002)

EEOC v. Yellow Freight Systems, Inc.

No Court

June 16, 2003

June 16, 2003

Press Release

Resources

Docket

Last updated April 15, 2024, 3:14 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed; Summons issued and Notice pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 636(c); (No Fees Due - U.S.A.). (em) (Entered: 03/31/1998)

March 30, 1998

March 30, 1998

Magistrate Judge Katz is so Designated. (em) (Entered: 03/31/1998)

March 30, 1998

March 30, 1998

2

ANSWER to Complaint by Yellow Freight (Attorney John F. Parker). (jp) (Entered: 06/03/1998)

June 2, 1998

June 2, 1998

3

Rule 1.9 certificate filed by Yellow Freight (jp) (Entered: 06/03/1998)

June 2, 1998

June 2, 1998

4

NOTICE OF MOTION by proposed intervenor Ronald S. Walden, for an order granting leave to intervene by Ronald S. Walden ; declaration in support attached; return date not indicated (ls) Modified on 06/08/1998 (Entered: 06/08/1998)

June 5, 1998

June 5, 1998

5

MEMORANDUM by proposed intervenor Ronald S. Walden in support of [4-1] motion for an order granting leave to intervene by Ronald S. (ls) (Entered: 06/08/1998)

June 5, 1998

June 5, 1998

7

Memo endorsed on copy of motion; granting [4-1] motion for an order granting leave to intervene by Ronald S. Walden. ( signed Judge John S. Martin ); Copies mailed. (kw) (Entered: 07/02/1998)

June 30, 1998

June 30, 1998

6

ORDER; at a conference with the Court on 6/29/98, the parties are directed to complete discovery no later than 8/31/98 ; the Court also directed the parties to submit a letter at that time indicating that discovery is complete and that the parties request a conference to set a trial date ( signed by Judge John S. Martin ); Copies mailed (sac) (Entered: 07/02/1998)

July 1, 1998

July 1, 1998

8

AMENDED ORDER, the 6/30/98 order is hereby corrected as follows: the parties are to complete discovery by 11/2/98 (signed by Judge John S. Martin); Copies mailed. (kg) (Entered: 07/02/1998)

July 2, 1998

July 2, 1998

9

Intervenor's COMPLAINT by Ronald S. Walden against Yellow Freight (sac) (Entered: 09/25/1998)

Sept. 24, 1998

Sept. 24, 1998

10

Filed Memo-Endorsement on letter to Judge Martin from Nora E. Curtin dated 10/19/98, reset discovery due for 1/31/99 (signed by Judge John S. Martin) (djc) (Entered: 10/21/1998)

Oct. 20, 1998

Oct. 20, 1998

11

ANSWER to Complaint by Yellow Freight; by attorney Jeffrey I. Pasek for defendant Yellow Freight (ls) (Entered: 10/21/1998)

Oct. 20, 1998

Oct. 20, 1998

12

Filed Memo-Endorsement on letter to Judge Martin from Anne Golden dated 1/19/99; reset discovery due for 3/31/99 ; ( signed by Judge John S. Martin ) (ls) (Entered: 01/22/1999)

Jan. 22, 1999

Jan. 22, 1999

13

NOTICE OF MOTION by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden, for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 , Return date 7/15/99 w. Plaintiffs' Statement of Material Uncontested Facts; (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

14

AFFIDAVIT of Nicholas Picarello by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden in support Re: [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56. (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

15

AFFIDAVIT of Nora E. Curtin by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden in support Re: [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

16

DECLARATION of Anne Golden by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden in support Re: [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

17

AFFIDAVIT of Ronald S. Walden by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden in support Re: [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 . (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

18

MEMORANDUM of LAW by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden in support of [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 (djc) (Entered: 07/16/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

19

NOTICE OF CROSS MOTION by Yellow Freight for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56(b) ; Return date not indicated; attached is evidence in support (cd) (Entered: 07/19/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

20

RULE 56.1 STATEMENT filed by Yellow Freight (cd) (Entered: 07/19/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

21

MEMORANDUM by Yellow Freight in support of [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56 (cd) (Entered: 07/19/1999)

July 15, 1999

July 15, 1999

22

MEMORANDUM by E.E.O.C. in opposition to [19-1] cross motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56(b) (ls) (Entered: 08/16/1999)

Aug. 13, 1999

Aug. 13, 1999

23

AFFIDAVIT of Nora E. Curtin by E.E.O.C. in support Re: [22-1] opposition memorandum (ls) (Entered: 08/16/1999)

Aug. 13, 1999

Aug. 13, 1999

24

SUPPLEMENTAL AFFIDAVIT of Ronald S. Walden by E.E.O.C. in opposition Re: [19-1] cross motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56(b) (ls) (Entered: 08/16/1999)

Aug. 13, 1999

Aug. 13, 1999

25

RESPONSE by E.E.O.C. Re: [20-1] settlement notice (ls) (Entered: 08/16/1999)

Aug. 13, 1999

Aug. 13, 1999

26

Defendant's Opposition to Plaintiffs' Statement of Material Uncontested Facts (djc) (Entered: 08/17/1999)

Aug. 16, 1999

Aug. 16, 1999

28

Notice of reassignment to Judge William H. Pauley III Copy of notice and judge's rules mailed to Attorney(s) of record: Nora E. Curtin . (bm) (Entered: 10/22/1999)

Oct. 13, 1999

Oct. 13, 1999

29

ORDER, set oral argument on pltff's motion and deft's cross-motion for summary judgment for 2:30 1/28/00 (signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ); Copies mailed. (lam) (Entered: 12/27/1999)

Dec. 20, 1999

Dec. 20, 1999

Oral argument held before Judge William H. Pauley III; Judge's decision reserved. (lam) (Entered: 02/01/2000)

Jan. 28, 2000

Jan. 28, 2000

30

ORDER, denying [13-1] motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56, and denying [19-1] cross motion for summary judgment purs to FRCP 56(b); set pre-trial conference for 10:00 a.m. on 5/12/00 ( signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ); mailed. (kw) (Entered: 03/23/2000)

March 21, 2000

March 21, 2000

31

NOTICE OF MOTION by Yellow Freight; for an order granting reconsideration of the order that it issued on 3/21/00 (docketed 3/23/00) and to grant defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment ; no return date indicated. (Received in the night deposit box on 4/3/00 at 6:10 p.m.) (kw) (Entered: 04/05/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

32

MEMORANDUM OF LAW by Yellow Freight in support of [31-1] motion for an order granting reconsideration of the order that it issued on 3/21/00 (docketed 3/23/00) and to grant defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment. (Received in the night deposit box on 4/3/00 at 6:10 p.m.) (kw) (Entered: 04/05/2000)

April 3, 2000

April 3, 2000

33

MEMORANDUM OF LAW by E.E.O.C. in opposition to [31-1] motion for an order granting reconsideration of the order that it issued on 3/21/00 (docketed 3/23/00) and to grant defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment (sac) (Entered: 04/19/2000)

April 17, 2000

April 17, 2000

34

REPLY by Yellow Freight to Re: [33-1] opposition memorandum. (kw) (Entered: 05/02/2000)

April 28, 2000

April 28, 2000

Pretrial Conference held and conclude before Judge William H. Pauley III. Contested issue - yes. (kw) (Entered: 05/25/2000)

May 12, 2000

May 12, 2000

35

SCHEDULING ORDER: the parties shall submit a joint pretrial order by 7/7/00; a final pretrial conference is set for 7/21/00 at 11:15 a.m. ( Signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ); copies mailed. (kw) (Entered: 05/16/2000)

May 16, 2000

May 16, 2000

36

ORDER, denying [31-1] motion for an order granting reconsideration of the order that it issued on 3/21/00 (docketed 3/23/00) and to grant defendant's cross-motion for summary judgment. (signed by Judge William H. Pauley III); Copies mailed. (ri) (Entered: 05/30/2000)

May 24, 2000

May 24, 2000

Pretrial Conference held and concluded before Judge William H. Pauley III. Contested issue - yes. (kw) (Entered: 07/31/2000)

July 21, 2000

July 21, 2000

37

Joint PRE-TRIAL ORDER filed; (signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ) (djc) (Entered: 07/24/2000)

July 24, 2000

July 24, 2000

39

Proposed Voir Dire Questions by E.E.O.C., Ronald S. Walden (lam) (Entered: 12/06/2000)

Dec. 4, 2000

Dec. 4, 2000

40

Jury instructions filed by pltffs (filed in night deposti with voir dire questions on 12/4/00 @9:30pm) (lam) (Entered: 12/06/2000)

Dec. 4, 2000

Dec. 4, 2000

41

MEMORANDUM OF LAW by E.E.O.C. in opposition to defendant's motion in limine to offset workers' compensation benefits from potential back pay. (Received in the night deposit box on 12/18/00 at 6:32 p.m.) (kw) (Entered: 12/21/2000)

Dec. 18, 2000

Dec. 18, 2000

42

MEMORANDUM OF LAW by E.E.O.C. in opposition to defendant's motion in limine to exclude from evidence the determinations of the NYSDHR and EEOC. (Received in the night deposit box on 12/18/00 at 6:32 p.m.) (kw) (Entered: 12/21/2000)

Dec. 18, 2000

Dec. 18, 2000

43

DECLARATION of Nora E. Curtin by E.E.O.C. in support Re: [42-1] opposition memorandum. (Received in the night deposit box on 12/18/00 at 6:32 p.m.) (kw) (Entered: 12/21/2000)

Dec. 18, 2000

Dec. 18, 2000

44

REPLY MEMORANDUM by Yellow Freight to re: [42-1] opposition memorandum. (kw) (Entered: 01/04/2001)

Jan. 3, 2001

Jan. 3, 2001

45

REPLY MEMORANDUM by Yellow Freight to re: [41-1] opposition memorandum. (kw) (Entered: 01/04/2001)

Jan. 3, 2001

Jan. 3, 2001

Telephone Conference held before Judge William H. Pauley III. (lam) (Entered: 04/27/2001)

April 9, 2001

April 9, 2001

46

ORDER, the trial in this action is adjourned and shall be set on this Court's trial-ready calendar, subject to forty-eight hours' notice on 5/14/01 . ( signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ); Copies mailed. (kw) (Entered: 04/18/2001)

April 17, 2001

April 17, 2001

Telephone Conference held before Judge William H. Pauley III. (kw) (Entered: 05/24/2001)

May 4, 2001

May 4, 2001

47

CONSENT TO TRIAL/PROCEED BEFORE UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE. CASE ASSIGNED to Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz. ( signed by Judge William H. Pauley III ) (kw) (Entered: 05/22/2001)

May 21, 2001

May 21, 2001

Final Pretrial Conference held before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz; Trial scheduled for October 15-19, 2001. (pl) (Entered: 06/25/2001)

June 20, 2001

June 20, 2001

48

ORDER, set settlement conference for 2:00 7/18/01 in Courtroom 20D, 500 Pearl Street . ( signed by Magistrate Judge Andrew J. Peck ); Copies mailed. (ae) Modified on 07/05/2001 (Entered: 07/05/2001)

July 3, 2001

July 3, 2001

49

Memo-Endorsement on letter addressed to Magistrate Judge Katz from Anne Golden, dated 9/18/01: The trial in this action is adjourned sine die. By 10/1/01, the parties shall either propose attractive trial dates or seek a conference with the Court . ( signed by Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz ); Copies mailed. (tp) (Entered: 09/26/2001)

Sept. 25, 2001

Sept. 25, 2001

51

Letter filed by Ronald S. Walden addressed to Hon. Theodore H. Katz from Anne Golden, dated 9/18/01, re: adjournment of bench trial. (yv) (Entered: 10/15/2001)

Sept. 27, 2001

Sept. 27, 2001

50

Letter filed by Ronald S. Walden addressed to Magistrate Judge Katz from Anne Golden, dated 10/1/01, re: request for a conference. (bai) (Entered: 10/12/2001)

Oct. 10, 2001

Oct. 10, 2001

Pretrial Conference held before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz; pre-trial briefs due 12/21/01; trial date set for 1/28/02-1/31/02 . (bai) Modified on 10/24/2001 (Entered: 10/24/2001)

Oct. 23, 2001

Oct. 23, 2001

52

NOTICE of address change filed by E.E.O.C. . (yv) (Entered: 11/07/2001)

Nov. 2, 2001

Nov. 2, 2001

54

NOTICE OF MOTION by Yellow Freight; for an Order providing that any damages awarded to Plaintiff Ronald S. Walden ("Walden") for back pay should be offset by the amount of compensation received by Walden from Yellow Freight's workers' compensation program . Return date not indicated. (jco) (Entered: 12/07/2001)

Dec. 4, 2001

Dec. 4, 2001

53

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER #86325; deft's motion to offset a potential back pay award is granted to the extent that it will permitted to offer evidence at trial demonstrating its entitlement to reduce any back pay award by the amount of workers' compensation benefits it directly provided Pltff, and denied to the extent that deft has moved this Court to make a final determination on this issue in limine. Deft's motion to exclude evidence of the NYDHR and EEOC determinations is denied. ( signed by Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz ); Copies mailed. (sac) (Entered: 12/06/2001)

Dec. 6, 2001

Dec. 6, 2001

55

PRE-TRIAL BRIEF by E.E.O.C. (yv) (Entered: 12/26/2001)

Dec. 21, 2001

Dec. 21, 2001

56

PRETRIAL BRIEF REGARDING LEGAL ISSUES (djc) (Entered: 12/27/2001)

Dec. 21, 2001

Dec. 21, 2001

57

NOTICE OF MOTION by Yellow Freight for Jeffrey L. Braff to appear pro hac vice for deft Yellow Freight ; Return date not indicated (cd) (Entered: 02/08/2002)

Feb. 6, 2002

Feb. 6, 2002

58

NOTICE OF MOTION by Yellow Freight for Anita B. Weinstein to appear pro hac vice for deft Yellow Freight ; Return date not indicated (cd) (Entered: 02/08/2002)

Feb. 6, 2002

Feb. 6, 2002

59

Transcript of record of proceedings before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz for the date(s) of 1/28/02, 1/29/02, 1/30/02, 1/31,02, 2/1/02, 2/4/02, 2/5/02, 2/6/02, 2/7/02, 2/8/02. (yv) (Entered: 03/11/2002)

March 11, 2002

March 11, 2002

60

PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW by E.E.O.C. . (pl) (Entered: 03/25/2002)

March 22, 2002

March 22, 2002

62

UNREPORTED CASES CITED IN DEFENDANT'S PRETRIAL BRIEF AND/OR POST-TRIAL BRIEF. (pl) (Entered: 03/25/2002)

March 22, 2002

March 22, 2002

63

POST-TRIAL BRIEF by Yellow Freight (pl) Modified on 03/25/2002 (Entered: 03/25/2002)

March 22, 2002

March 22, 2002

Terminated documents 54-1,57-1,58-1 pursuant to instructions of Magistrate Judge Katz as indicated on the CJRA report. (motions decided) (rag) (Entered: 05/29/2002)

May 29, 2002

May 29, 2002

64

MEMORANDUM OPINION # 87405, for reasons set forth, the Court finds that Defendant unlawfully discriminated against Plaintiff Ronald S. Walden on account of his disability, in violation of both the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12112, and New York Human Rights Law, N.Y. Exec. Law 296. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED: (1) The Clerk of the Court shall enter judgment in favor of Plaintiffs, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Ronald Walden, and against Defendant, Yellow Freight Systems, Inc.; (2) The Judgment shall include an award to Walden of $156,867 in backpay, along with prejudgment interest, to be calculated by the Clerk of the Court according to the formula set forth above, at 84-86; and an award to Walden of $50,000 in punitive damages; (3) Within forty-five days of the entry of judgment, Defendant shall make the contributions to Plaintiff's pension fund that it would have made had Plaintiff worked as a Yard Jockey from September 23, 1994, through March 30, 2001 . ( signed by Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz ); Copies mailed. Document forwarded to judgment clerk. (yv) (Entered: 09/10/2002)

Sept. 9, 2002

Sept. 9, 2002

65

JUDGMENT #02,1764. For the reasns stated in the Court's Opinion (87405) and Order dated Sepember 4, 2002, judgment is entered in favor of plaintiffs, the EEOC and Ronald Walden, and against defendant Yellow Freight System, Inc.; Walden is awarded $156,867 in backpay, along iwth prejudgment interest of $43,875.66 and $50,000 in punitive damages for a total sum of $250,742.66, and within forty-five days of the entry of judgment, defendant is ordered to make contributions to plaintiff's pension fund that it wouldl have made had plaintiff worked as a yard Jockey from September 23, 1994, through March 30, 2001; (signed by James M. Parkison, Clerk of the Court); Mailed copies and notice of right to appeal. Entered On Docket: 09/17/02. (djc) (Entered: 09/17/2002)

Sept. 13, 2002

Sept. 13, 2002

Case closed. (djc) (Entered: 09/17/2002)

Sept. 13, 2002

Sept. 13, 2002

66

STIPULATION and ORDER, counsel for the parties hereby stipulate and agree as follows: intervenor plaintiff's motion for attorney's fees shall be served so as to be received by dft's counsel on or before 10/29/02; dft's response shall be served so as to be received by intervenor plaintiff's counsel on or before 11/27/02; interveor plaintiff's reply papers, if any , shall be served so as to be received by dft's counsel on or before 12/13/02 , Upon receipt of plaintiff's motion, the parties are expected to make good faith effort to resolve the issue of attorneys' fees . ( signed by Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz ) copies mailed by chambers 9/30/02. (dle) (Entered: 10/18/2002)

Oct. 1, 2002

Oct. 1, 2002

68

Transcript of record of proceedings before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz for the date(s) of 1/29/02. (moc) (Entered: 10/08/2002)

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

69

Transcript of record of proceedings before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz for the date(s) of 1/30/02. (moc) (Entered: 10/08/2002)

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

70

Transcript of record of proceedings before Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz for the date(s) of 1/31/02. (moc) (Entered: 10/08/2002)

Oct. 4, 2002

Oct. 4, 2002

71

Memo-Endorsement on letter addressed to Mag. Judge Katz from Jeffrey L. Braff, dated 11/27/02; in view of the resolution of the attorneys' fees issue, the Court's September 30, 2002 scheduling order is vacated ; (signed by Magistrate Judge Theodore H. Katz ); Copies mailed by Chambers; (djc) (Entered: 12/02/2002)

Nov. 27, 2002

Nov. 27, 2002

Case Details

State / Territory: New York

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 30, 1998

Closing Date: Sept. 13, 2002

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Unknown

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

Yellow Freight System, Inc., Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

State Anti-Discrimination Law

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Damages

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Amount Defendant Pays: 250742.66

Issues

Discrimination-area:

Disparate Treatment

Accommodation / Leave

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discrimination-basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Private Party intervened in EEOC suit