Robinson v. Lockheed Martin Corp

Opinions of the United
2007 Decisions States Court of Appeals
for the Third Circuit
1-8-2007
Robinson v. Lockheed Martin Corp
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential
Docket No. 06-1704
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NOT PRECEDENTIAL
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
NO. 06-1704
________________
MARK ROBINSON,
Appellant
v.
LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
____________________________________
On Appeal From the United States District Court
For the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
(D.C. Civ. No. 04-cv-3143)
District Judge: Honorable Ronald L. Buckwalter
_______________________________________
Submitted Under Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
DECEMBER 26, 2006
Before: SLOVITER, MCKEE AND AMBRO, CIRCUIT JUDGES
(Filed: January 8, 2007 )
_______________________
OPINION
_______________________
PER CURIAM
This is an appeal from the District Court’s grant of summary judgment in
favor of Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed Martin”) on Mark Robinson’s claims
that Lockheed Martin terminated his employment in violation of the Americans With
Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq., and the Pennsylvania Human
Relations Act (“PHRA”), 43 P.S. § 951, et seq.1 We will affirm.
I.
Lockheed Martin employed Robinson for computer desktop support. His
service began in 1984. In March 2000, Robinson suffered a seizure at work and was
transferred to a hospital. While at the hospital, Robinson suffered a second seizure. He
was out of work on approved disability leave for approximately four weeks. Robinson
was subsequently diagnosed with a “seizure disorder.”
Robinson returned to work on or about April 25, 2000. On that date,
Robinson’s supervisor, Brad Altemose, purportedly berated Robinson because he was not
pulling his own weight in the group. Subsequently, two months later, Robinson’s annual
performance review by Altemose indicated that Robinson “needs improvement.” 2
In January 2002, Robinson met with his subsequent supervisor, George
Murphy, and a human resources representative, Larry Fleisher. The purpose of this
meeting was to put Robinson on a Performance Improvement Plan (“PIP”). At this
meeting, Robinson questioned Murphy and Fleisher about whether his medical condition
was taken into account. Robinson was not put on a PIP. Robinson submitted a letter
1
Robinson’s complaint also included a claim under the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621, et seq. However, Robinson withdrew this claim in the
District Court.
2
Robinson’s previous performance reviews ranged from excellent (1990-92), to
satisfactory (1992-94, 1997-99, 2000-01) to needs improvement (1994-97, 1999-2000).
2
from his doctor stating that he should work in a stress-free work environment. Lockheed
Martin’s medical director’s attempts to follow up with Robinson’s doctor through
Robinson were unsuccessful.
At or around the time of the January 12, 2002 meeting, Robinson had a
conversation with Murphy. Murphy suggested to Robinson that “he needed to file for an
FMLA so that when he felt he couldn’t come to work because of this documented
condition, he would charge that and not ‘[absent].’”
Accordingly, Robinson submitted forms to begin the process of seeking
leave. Before Robinson had the opportunity for leave, he was terminated from
employment along with three other co-workers. Lockheed Martin submits that these
firings were the result of budgetary cutbacks and that it applied neutral criteria in
determining which employees were terminated.
Robinson filed this complaint in July 2004. After the close of discovery,
Lockheed Martin successfully moved for summary judgment. Robinson timely filed a
notice of appeal.
II.
We review the grant of summary judgment de novo. See McGreevy v.
Stroup, 413 F.3d 359, 363 (3d Cir. 2005). Summary judgment is proper when, viewing
the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, there is no genuine issue of
material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Saldana
3
v. Kmart Corp., 260 F.3d 228, 231-32 (3d Cir. 2001); Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c).
III.
Claims pursuant to the ADA are analyzed under the burden-shifting
framework announced in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792, 802-04
(1973).3 See Newman v. GHS Osteopathic, Inc., Parkway Hosp. Div., 60 F.3d 153, 157
(3d Cir. 1995). In order to make out the prima facie case under the ADA, a plaintiff must
show that he (1) has a “disability;” (2) is a “qualified individual;” and (3) has suffered an
adverse employment action because of that disability. See Buskirk v. Apollo Metals, 307
F.3d 160, 166 (3d Cir. 2002) (citing Gaul v. Lucent Techs. Inc., 134 F.3d 576, 580 (3d
Cir. 1998)). To establish that he has a “disability,” Robinson must show that: (1) he has a
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
(2) he has a record of such impairment; or (3) he was “regarded as” having such an
impairment by Lockheed Martin. See Marinelli v. City of Erie, Pa., 216 F.3d 354, 359
(3d Cir. 2000) (citation omitted). Robinson argues that he has a disability because his
“seizure disorder” substantially limits at least one major life activity and/or that he was
“regarded as” having such an impairment by Lockheed Martin.
A.
Under the first definition of “disability,” Robinson must show that his
3
Claims under the PHRA are similarly analyzed. See Kelly v. Drexel Univ., 94 F.3d
102, 105 (3d Cir. 1996).
4
impairment significantly limits one or more major life activities. See id. at 361. Major
life activities are those functions “such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.” 29 C.F.R.
§ 1630.2(i). Furthermore, a person is substantially limited in a major life activity when he
is either: (1) unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general
population can perform; or (2) significantly restricted as to the condition in which he can
perform a major life activity as compared to the condition, manner, or duration under
which the average person in the general population can perform that same major life
activity. See id. § 1630.2(j)(1)(i)-(ii). Only extremely limiting disabilities, either in the
short-term or the long-term, qualify for protected status under the ADA. See Marinelli,
216 F.3d at 362.
In the complaint, Robinson asserted that his “seizure disorder” substantially
limits various major life activities, including traveling, eating and caring for himself.
More specifically, Robinson presented evidence that the following major life activities
were substantially limited due to his “seizure disorder”: (1) sporting activities, such as
water skiing, scuba diving and cycling; (2) cooking; (3) tub baths; (4) driving; (5) stress;
(6) heights; and (7) social issues. Upon reviewing the record, we agree with the District
Court that Robinson fails to show a material issue of fact with respect to having a major
life activity substantially limited due to his “seizure disorder.”
Regarding sporting activities, Robinson stated that his “seizure disorder”
5
did not stop him from engaging in the sports he frequently participated in (bicycle riding
and scuba diving). Next, Robinson stated that his “seizure disorder” did not substantially
change his cooking habits. Before being diagnosed as having a “seizure disorder,”
Robinson would usually heat up frozen foods in the microwave or order fast food. His
“seizure disorder” did not substantially limit this ability. Robinson’s ability to bathe was
also not substantially limited by his “seizure disorder” because he testified that his ability
to shower was not affected.4 Additionally, with respect to any impairment the “seizure
disorder” had on Robinson’s ability to drive, we note that his license was reinstated in
October 2000. Furthermore, driving is not a major life activity. See Chenoweth v.
Hillsborough County, 250 F.3d 1328, 1329-30 (11th Cir. 2001); see also Colwell v.
Suffolk County Police Dep’t, 158 F.3d 635, 643 (2d Cir. 1998). Also, for the reasons
stated by the District Court, we agree that Robinson failed to show a material issue of fact
of having a disability based upon his doctor’s advice that he avoid stress and heights. See
Toyota Motor Mfg., Ky., Inc. v. Williams, 534 U.S. 184, 200 (2002) (stating that a
plaintiff must show an inability to work in a broad range of jobs rather than just a specific
job if the alleged major life activity substantially limited is working). Robinson presented
no evidence to show that “social issues” were substantially limited due to his “seizure
disorder.” Therefore, Robinson fails to create a material issue of fact with respect to this
4
Robinson also testified that before his “seizure disorder” diagnosis, he would
normally take a tub bath two to three times a year.
6
definition of disability.
B.
As previously noted, Robinson also argues that he has a disability because
he was “regarded as” having a disability by Lockheed Martin. In support of his argument
that he was “regarded as” disabled, Robinson asserts three main points: (1) his
supervisors at Lockheed Martin were aware of his “seizure disorder”; (2) he was
previously awarded short-term disability leave by Lockheed Martin when he suffered his
first seizure in March 2000; and (3) Murphy suggested that he apply for FMLA leave.5
“A person is ‘regarded as’ having a disability if [he]: (1) has a physical or
mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but is treated by
the covered entity as constituting such limitation; (2) has a physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others
toward such impairment; or (3) has [no such impairment] but is treated by a covered
entity as having a substantially limiting impairment.” See Rinehimer v. Cemcolift, Inc.,
292 F.3d 375, 381 (3d Cir. 2002)(citation omitted). The analysis under this definition
focuses not on Robinson and his actual abilities, “but rather on the reactions and
perceptions of the persons interacting or working with him.” Kelly v. Drexel Univ., 94
F.3d 102, 109 (3d Cir. 1996)(citation omitted). Furthermore, “to be covered under the
5
Robinson did not assert a FMLA claim or a claim of retaliation for seeking FMLA
leave.
7
‘regarded as’ prong of the ADA[,] the employer must regard the employee to be suffering
from an impairment within the meaning of the statutes, not just that the employer believed
the employee to be somehow disabled.” Rinehimer, 292 F.3d at 381(citations and
quotations omitted).
To prevail, Robinson must establish that Lockheed Martin believed
he was limited in his ability to work in “either a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in
various classes as compared to the average person having comparable training, skills and
abilities.” Sutton v. United Air Lines, Inc., 527 U.S. 471, 491 (1999)(quoting 29 C.F.R. §
1630.2(j)(3)(i)). Therefore, “to be regarded as substantially limited in the major life
activity of working, one must be regarded as precluded from more than a particular job.”
See Murphy v. United Parcel Serv., Inc., 527 U.S. 516, 523 (1999).
Reviewing the record in the light most favorable to Robinson, the evidence
is insufficient to show that Lockheed Martin regarded him “as precluded from more than
a particular job.” See id. First, the parties dispute the amount of knowledge Robinson’s
supervisors had regarding his “seizure disorder.” However, even when viewed in the
light most favorable to Robinson, this evidence does not create a material issue of fact
that Robinson was “regarded as” having a disability due to his “seizure disorder.” Indeed,
“the mere fact that an employer is aware of an employee’s impairment is insufficient to
demonstrate either that the employer regarded the employee as disabled or that that
perception caused the adverse employment action.” See Kelly, 94 F.3d at 109. With
8
respect to Robinson’s second point, we note that he was allowed to return to the same
position by Lockheed Martin that he occupied before his four-week leave in April 2000.
Thus, it follows that this evidence does not create a material issue of fact such that
Lockheed Martin regarded Robinson “as precluded from more than a particular job.” See
Murphy, 527 U.S. at 523. Finally, with respect to Robinson’s third argument, Murphy’s
statement that Robinson should apply for FMLA leave does not create a material issue of
fact that Robinson was “regarded as” significantly restricted his ability to work.6 See e.g.,
Vincent v. Wells Fargo Guard Servs., Inc. of Fla., 3 F. Supp. 2d 1405, 1420 (S.D. Fla.
1998) (noting that “disability” under the ADA and “serious health condition” under the
FMLA are different concepts that must be analyzed separately and that the leave portions
of the FMLA are distinct from the reasonable accommodations obligations under the
ADA)(citations omitted); see also 29 C.F.R. § 825.702(b). Thus, Robinson fails to create
a material issue of fact that he was “regarded as” disabled by Lockheed Martin.
IV.
We have considered all of the arguments and agree with the District Court
that Robinson failed to create a material issue of fact regarding whether he established a
prima facie case. Because Robinson did not establish a prima facie case, it is unnecessary
6
The District Court found that Pritchard v. Southern Co. Servs., 92 F.3d 1130 (11th
Cir. 1996), is distinguishable with respect to Robinson’s claim that he was “regarded as”
disabled by Lockheed Martin. We agree. First, as previously noted, Robinson returned to
work after his four-week leave in 2000 to the same job. Additionally, Robinson was not
placed on disability leave after Murphy suggested he apply for FMLA leave.
9
to analyze the District Court’s additional findings that Lockheed Martin stated a
legitimate non-discriminatory reason for Robinson’s dismissal and that Robinson failed to
show that his termination was pretextual. Accordingly, we will affirm the District Court’s
grant of summary judgment in favor of Lockheed Martin.
10