In September 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Philadelphia District Office filed suit against Wal-Mart Stores. According to the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Wal-Mart violated the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ...
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In September 2006, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Philadelphia District Office filed suit against Wal-Mart Stores. According to the complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Wal-Mart violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide reasonable accommodations for, and ultimately terminating, a pharmacy technician who suffered from permanent physical disabilities resulting from a gunshot wound. Judge Andre Davis was assigned to this case.
After the complainant intervened in the suit, both Wal-Mart and the EEOC moved for summary judgment. Both motions were denied (with the exception of a single, narrow issue: the EEOC's motion regarding the unavailability of an "undue hardship" defense was granted).
Settlement discussion began on April 22, 2008. Sometime later, on June 9, 2008, the court approved the parties' consent decree. The court retained jurisdiction for three years to ensure compliance. This decree included monetary relief, attorney’s fee and costs, training, notice and postings, reporting requirements, and prohibiting the defendant from ADA violations. More specifically, this consent decree required:
1.The defendant to pay $200,000.00 in monetary relief and $50,000.00 in attorney’s fees to the intervenor-plaintiff.
2.The defendant to provide ADA training to employees in manager and supervisor positions.
3.The defendant to post notices of this agreement and a revised ADA policy for its business. These notices were to be displayed in locations visible to all employees.
4.The defendant to provide regular reports to the EEOC on compliance with the ADA.
5.The defendant to engage in acts or practices that promote compliance with the ADA.
This consent decree was amended, on May 8, 2009. This amendment listed the Wal-Mart stores that would be affected by the consent decree. The duration of the consent decree has lapsed and the docket shows no further activity. Therefore, this case is closed.
Jason Chester - 05/27/2008
Sean Whetstone - 06/18/2018
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