Facts

Anthony Kuchta was Vice President of Sales at Neopost Inc. He developed a general anxiety that included a fear of flying. Neopost made accommodations to allow him to fly less. When it eliminated his position, Neopost offered him a new position as Vice President of Direct Sales, but warned him it required extensive travel without the previous accommodations. Kuchta declined this position and two subsequent offers, demanding a severance package instead. He was terminated when negotiations broke down. Kuchta sued Neopost for failure to accommodate and disability discrimination.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended defendant terminated his employment because he feared flying and denied him the same accommodations that would have allowed him to accept the new positions.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
The defendant contended that travel was an integral function of the new job, which plaintiff could not perform even with accommodations. The two other job offers were reasonable accommodations.

Damages

$650,000 to $2.5 million for past and future lost wages and loss of stock options, plus an unspecified demand for emotional distress.

Result

Defense.

Poll

12-0 (discrimination), 12-0 (discrimination), 11-1 (failure to accomodate)