Case Studies

Bouland & Brush Obtains Victory in Disability Employment Case of First Impression

On September 15, 2005, the Court of Special Appeals affirmed the Montgomery County Circuit Court’s award of summary judgment to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service in a matter alleging employment discrimination based on disability. On appeal, Bouland & Brush successfully defended its victory in the Circuit Court. The Court of Special Appeals found that the appellant, Donald Ridgely, a fire captain who suffered from narcolepsy with associated cataplexy, failed to satisfy his burden of proving that Montgomery County regarded Captain Ridgely’s condition as substantially limiting his asserted major life activities. The appellate court also found that Captain Ridgely’s placement on “no duty” status did not lead to an inference that Montgomery County regarded him as substantially limited in the major life activity of working. Donald Ridgely v. Montgomery County, Maryland Fire and Rescue Service, 164 Md. App. 214, 883 A.2d 182 (2005).

Bouland & Brush has extensive experience in defending employers against discrimination charges in cases ranging from the Maryland state courts to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. For further information on the services we can provide in this regard, please see the “Employment Law” of our website at www.boulandlaw.com.