Christen-Loper v. Bret's Electric, LLC

175 F. Supp. 3d 1213, 2016 WL 1223011, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41303
CourtDistrict Court, D. Colorado
DecidedMarch 29, 2016
DocketCase No. 15-CV-00496-RM-KMT
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 175 F. Supp. 3d 1213 (Christen-Loper v. Bret's Electric, LLC) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Colorado primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Christen-Loper v. Bret's Electric, LLC, 175 F. Supp. 3d 1213, 2016 WL 1223011, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41303 (D. Colo. 2016).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

RAYMOND P. MOORE, United States District Judge

On March 9, 2015, plaintiff Nanci Christen-Loper (“plaintiff’) filed a Complaint [1216]*1216against Bret’s Electric, LLC (“defendant”), raising the following claims for relief: (1) disability discrimination under The Americans with Disabilities Act (“the ADA”); (2) disability discrimination under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (“the CADA”); (3) wrongful discharge in violation of public policy; and (4) intentional infliction of emotional distress. (ECF No. 1 at ¶¶ 24-50.)

On May 18, 2015, defendant filed a partial motion to dismiss the third and fourth claims of the complaint (“the motion to dismiss”), pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) (“Rule 12(b)(6)”), for failure to state a claim. (ECF No. 8.) Plaintiff filed a response in opposition to the motion to dismiss (ECF No. 16), and defendant filed a reply (ECF No. 29). After referral, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya entered a report and recommendation (“R&R”), recommending that the motion to dismiss be granted in part and denied in part. (ECF Nos. 20, 44.) Both parties then filed objections to the R&R, as well as responses to the objections. (ECF Nos. 46, 47, 49, 52.) The motion to dismiss and R&R are now before the Court.

I.Legal Standard

In evaluating a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6), a court must accept as true all well-pleaded factual allegations in the complaint, view those allegations in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, and draw all reasonable inferences in the plaintiffs favor. Brokers’ Choice of America, Inc. v. NBC Universal, Inc., 757 F.3d 1125, 1135-36 (10th Cir.2014); Mink v. Knox, 613 F.3d 995, 1000 (10th Cir.2010). In doing so, “a court may look both to the complaint itself and to any documents attached as exhibits to the complaint.” Oxendine v. Kaplan, 241 F.3d 1272, 1275 (10th Cir.2001). In the complaint, the plaintiff must allege a “plausible" entitlement to relief. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-556, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007). A complaint warrants dismissal if it fails “in toto to render [plaintiffs] entitlement to relief plausible.” Id. at 569, 127 S.Ct. 1955 n. 14.

II. Review of a Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation

A district court may refer pending motions to a magistrate judge for entry of a report and recommendation. 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b). The court is free to accept, reject, or modify, in whole or in part, the findings or recommendations of the magistrate judge. 28 U.S.C, § 636(b)(1); Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(3). A pafyy is entitled to a de novo review of those portions of the report and recommendation to which specific objection is made. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 72(b)(2), (3). “[Objections to the magistrate, judge’s report and recommendation must be both timely and specific to preserve an issue for de novo review by the district court or for appellate review.” United States v. 2121 E. 30 St., 73 F.3d 1057, 1060 (10th Cir.1996). Furthermore, arguments not raised before the magistrate judge need not be considered by this Court, Marshall v. Chater, 75 F.3d 1421, 1426 (10th Cir.1996) (“Issues raised for thé first time in objections to the magistrate judge’s recommendation are deemed waived.”).

III. Factual Background1

The Court assumes the following factual allegations from the complaint to be true. [1217]*1217Plaintiff worked for defendant as a construction project coordinator from May 2011 until December 2013. (ECF No. 1 at ¶ 6.) In plaintiffs last performance evaluation, on November 11,2013, she was stated to have met or partially met expectations in every evaluated category. (Id. at ¶¶ 9-10.)

Plaintiff suffers from bi-polar disorder. (Id. at ¶ 11.) Plaintiff was able to manage her condition by meeting regularly with her doctor. Plaintiff informed defendant of her condition and her need to take time off from work to meet with her doctor. (Id.)

On October 22, 2013, plaintiff was involved in a car accident that required her admission into an emergency room. (Id. at ¶ 12.) On November 6, 2013, a member of plaintiffs family threatened to kill them-self. Plaintiff informed defendant of both of these events. (Id.)

On November 18, 2013, one of defendant’s owners, Brett Martin (“Brett”), threw papers at plaintiff, telling her to “Take the God damn thing.” (Id. at ¶ 13.) On November 20, 2013, Brett stood over plaintiff and yelled, hit a wall, , and shouted obscenities. (Id.) Brett’s conduct visibly upset plaintiff, with his conduct on November 20, 2013 causing her to cry. (Id. at ¶ 14.) Defendant’s other owner, Janet Martin (“Janet”), observed plaintiffs distress, and told plaintiff to go home for the day. (Id.)

On November 22, 2013, plaintiff came to work in tears. (Id. at ¶ 15.) Janet told plaintiff she could leave for the day, and plaintiff told Janet that she would be making an appointment to see her doctor as soon as possible. (Id.) Plaintiff secured an appointment with her doctor for November 27, 2013, and, the day before the appointment, plaintiff informed Janet about the same and apologized for the short notice. (Id. at ¶ 16.) Plaintiff also told Janet that she needed to see the doctor in order to have her medication changed, so she could “get back on track.” Janet replied, “No worries. Take the day off.” (Id.)

On December 2, 2013, plaintiff requested time off for a doctor’s appointment on December 18, 2013. (Id. at ¶ 17.) On December 3, 2013, Janet denied the request, stating that plaintiffs appointments needed to be scheduled around her work schedule. Plaintiff replied that her request had been made in compliance with defendant’s “time-off policy” and that she needed to see her doctor. Plaintiff also told Janet that she would be keeping her appointment. (Id.)

On December 4, 2013, Janet wrote up plaintiff for her absences on November 22 and November 27, 2013. (Id. at ¶ 18.) Janet stated that, in both instances, plaintiffs absence was unexcused. Janet also stated that the November 27, 2013 absence was not made in writing and was made on short notice. In issuing the “write-ups,” Janet did so while another employee was in the room, even though the write-ups implicated plaintiffs confidential medical information. (Id.)

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175 F. Supp. 3d 1213, 2016 WL 1223011, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 41303, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/christen-loper-v-brets-electric-llc-cod-2016.