Angell v. Peterson Tractor, Inc.

21 Cal. App. 4th 981, 26 Cal. Rptr. 2d 541, 94 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 323, 94 Daily Journal DAR 531, 2 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1786, 59 Cal. Comp. Cases 47, 1994 Cal. App. LEXIS 14, 63 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 42,835
CourtCalifornia Court of Appeal
DecidedJanuary 12, 1994
DocketC013344
StatusPublished
Cited by19 cases

This text of 21 Cal. App. 4th 981 (Angell v. Peterson Tractor, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering California Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Angell v. Peterson Tractor, Inc., 21 Cal. App. 4th 981, 26 Cal. Rptr. 2d 541, 94 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 323, 94 Daily Journal DAR 531, 2 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1786, 59 Cal. Comp. Cases 47, 1994 Cal. App. LEXIS 14, 63 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 42,835 (Cal. Ct. App. 1994).

Opinions

Opinion

NICHOLSON, J.

Is workers’ compensation the exclusive remedy for an employee discriminatorily terminated based on a physical handicap arising from a work-related injury? We conclude it is because discrimination based on a work-related physical handicap is a risk explicitly included by the [985]*985Legislature in the compensation bargain. (Lab. Code, § 132a; see also Gantt v. Sentry Insurance (1992) 1 Cal.4th 1083, 1100 [4 Cal.Rptr.2d 874, 824 P.2d 680], and cases cited therein.)

Summary of Facts and Procedure

Appellant Leland Angell was employed by respondent Peterson Tractor, Inc., beginning in 1978. In 1982, 1984, and 1985, he suffered heart attacks and received workers’ compensation benefits as a result. On January 1, 1986, Peterson Tractor terminated him.

After filing a complaint with and receiving a right to sue letter from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (Department), Angell sued Peterson Tractor in tort for violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and for wrongful termination in violation of fundamental public policy. He alleged the termination was due to discrimination based on his work-related heart condition.1

Peterson Tractor moved for summary judgment. The trial court found Angelí’s evidence sufficiently established discrimination based on his heart condition. However, citing Pickrel v. General Telephone Co. (1988) 205 Cal.App.3d 1058 [252 Cal.Rptr. 878], the court held Angell’s tort causes of action were preempted by the exclusive remedy provisions of the workers’ compensation law. The court entered judgment in Peterson Tractor’s favor, and Angell appeals. We affirm.

Discussion

I

Standard of Review

Peterson Tractor urges us to apply an abuse of discretion standard in reviewing the summary judgment. However, an abuse of discretion standard [986]*986is inappropriate; the correct standard is independent review. (Davis v. Gaschler (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1392, 1396 [14 Cal.Rptr.2d 679]; Saldana v. Globe-Weis Systems Co. (1991) 233 Cal.App.3d 1505, 1511-1515 [285 Cal.Rptr. 385].) The only exception to the independent review standard applies when we review a trial court’s exercise of discretion as allowed by Code of Civil Procedure section 437c, subdivision (e). Under all other circumstances, it is legally and procedurally incorrect to apply an abuse of discretion standard. (Schrader v. Scott (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1679, 1683 [11 Cal.Rptr.2d 433].) Thus, we must independently determine whether Peterson Tractor established Angell could not prevail as a matter of law. (Davis v. Gaschler, supra, 11 Cal.App.4th at p. 1396.)

II

The Legal Foundation of Angelí’s Causes of Action

A. The FEHA Cause of Action

The FEHA declares it is the public policy of this state to protect individuals from discrimination in employment matters on the basis of physical handicap, among other things. (Gov. Code, § 12920.)2 The statute makes it an unlawful employment practice to terminate a person based on physical handicap except under specified circumstances not applicable to this case.3 (Gov. Code, § 12940.)4

“ ‘Physical handicap,’ ” as defined by the FEHA at the time of Angell’s termination, “includes impairment of sight, hearing, or speech, or [987]*987impairment of physical ability because of amputation or loss of function or coordination, or any other health impairment which requires special education or related services.” (Gov. Code, § 12926, subd. (h).) However, this list is not restrictive. More broadly, “physical handicap” is any physical condition, whether or not presently disabling, “ ‘that makes achievement unusually difficult. ’ ” (American National Ins. Co. v. Fair Employment & Housing Com. (1982) 32 Cal.3d 603, 609 [186 Cal.Rptr. 345, 651 P.2d 1151].) Although Angell had a full release to return to work after the last heart attack and was fully able to perform his employment duties, his heart condition falls within “physical handicap” as used in the FEHA. (See id. at pp. 609-610.)

Under the FEHA, an aggrieved person may file a complaint with the Department. (Gov. Code, § 12960.) If the Department decides not to prosecute the case or does not take action within 150 days after the filing of the complaint, it must give the aggrieved person a right to sue letter which authorizes the person to file a civil suit based on the claim. (Gov. Code, § 12965, subd. (b).) Claiming Peterson Tractor violated the FEHA by discriminatorily terminating him because of his heart condition, Angell followed this statutory procedure and ultimately filed this suit against Peterson Tractor.

B. The Cause of Action for Wrongful Termination in Violation of Fundamental Public Policy

Angell also stated a cause of action for wrongful termination in violation of fundamental public policy. This cause of action is grounded in the common law. (See Tameny v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (1980) 27 Cal.3d 167 [164 Cal.Rptr. 839, 610 P.2d 1330, 9 A.L.R.4th 314].) In Tameny, the Supreme Court held an action in tort lies for any termination which violates fundamental public policy. (Id. at p. 177.) The Supreme Court later refined the definition of “fundamental public policy” to include a termination which “is against public policy and affects a duty which inures to the benefit of the public at large rather than to a particular employer or employee. . . . [Disparagement of a basic public policy must be alleged . . . .” (Foley v. Interactive Data Corp. (1988) 47 Cal.3d 654, 669 [254 Cal.Rptr. 211, 765 P.2d 373], italics in original.) The public policy also must be grounded in some statutory or constitutional provision. {Gantt v. Sentry Insurance, supra, 1 Cal.4th at p. 1095.) Although the FEHA cause of action is based in statute and the Tameny cause of action is based on the common law, they both rely on the public policy stated in the FEHA. (Gov. Code, § 12920.)

[988]*988III

Applicability of Workers’ Compensation Remedies

Angelí’s termination also gives rise to a claim under the workers’ compensation law because his heart condition was work related.

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Angell v. Peterson Tractor, Inc.
21 Cal. App. 4th 981 (California Court of Appeal, 1994)

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Bluebook (online)
21 Cal. App. 4th 981, 26 Cal. Rptr. 2d 541, 94 Cal. Daily Op. Serv. 323, 94 Daily Journal DAR 531, 2 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 1786, 59 Cal. Comp. Cases 47, 1994 Cal. App. LEXIS 14, 63 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 42,835, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/angell-v-peterson-tractor-inc-calctapp-1994.