Abuse of Discretion – Sufficiency of Evidence

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7^th Circuit Court of Appeals

Case Name: Risa Stegall v. Andrew M. Saul

Case No.: 18-2345

Officials: BAUER, MANION, and ST. EVE, Circuit Judges.

Focus: Abuse of Discretion – Sufficiency of Evidence

Risa Stegall applied and interviewed for a service representative position with the Social Security Administration (“SSA”) in 2010. Stegall claims she received an offer of employment at the end of her interview. Stegall subsequently disclosed her physical and mental disabilities, which she claims prompted the SSA to rescind the employment offer. The SSA denied offering Stegall a position, stating it never extends offers of employment during interviews. Instead, the SSA deemed Stegall not motivated for public service due to her answers in the interview. The SSA preferred two applicants over Stegall—one who had accepted another position and one with a disability who accepted the position.

Stegall filed an employment discrimination claim with the SSA, claiming discrimination based on race and her mental and physical disabilities. The SSA denied Stegall’s claim and she appealed to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Stegall then filed a discrimination claim in the district court. Prior to trial, Stegall dismissed her race and mental disability discrimination claims. At trial, the jury found that Stegall had a disability, that the SSA regarded her as having a disability, and that the SSA failed to hire Stegall. However, the jury found that even without her physical disability, Stegall would not have been hired.

Stegall appeals, claiming the jury verdict went against the manifest weight of the evidence and that the court abused its discretion in allowing certain evidence to be admitted. We conclude that the district court did not commit reversible errors and affirm.

Affirmed

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Derek A Hawkins is trademark corporate counsel for Harley-Davidson. Hawkins oversees the prosecution and maintenance of the Harley-Davidson’s international trademark portfolio in emerging markets.