Cramer v. State of Florida

885 F. Supp. 1545, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 687, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6399, 1995 WL 284158
CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Florida
DecidedMay 10, 1995
Docket94-1995-Civ-T-21A
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 885 F. Supp. 1545 (Cramer v. State of Florida) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, M.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Cramer v. State of Florida, 885 F. Supp. 1545, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 687, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6399, 1995 WL 284158 (M.D. Fla. 1995).

Opinion

ORDER

NIMMONS, District Judge.

This cause comes before the Court on several motions to dismiss: (1) Defendants Winn-Dixie and Crawford & Company’s Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint (Dkt. 34) and Plaintiffs’ response (Dkt. 51) thereto; (2) Defendants Broedell Plumbing Supply, Inc., FCCI Mutual Insurance Company, Florida Employers Insurance Service Corporation’s Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint (Dkt. 35) and Plaintiffs’ response (Dkt. 53) thereto; (3) Defendant State of Florida’s Motion to Dismiss Amended Complaint (Dkt. 40) and Plaintiffs’ response (Dkt. 52) thereto; and (4) Motion of Defendant, Shirley O. Gooding, to Dismiss Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint (Dkt. 58) and Plaintiffs’ response (Dkt. 63) thereto.

On April 20,1995 the Court held a hearing on the Defendants’ motions to dismiss. In deciding the motions to dismiss, the Court therefore considers the pleadings and other *1547 written submissions filed by the parties, the oral argument of counsel, and the applicable law.

The Amended Complaint (Dkt. 26) alleges that Plaintiff Cramer was employed by Defendant Broedell Plumbing Supply, Inc. as a warehouse manager loading and unloading semi-truck vehicles and performing general labor. On November 22,1993, Cramer allegedly injured his lower back as the result of an on-the-job injury. Plaintiffs allege that Cramer was out of work approximately two weeks after his injury, and eventually returned to light-duty work with Broedell. On February 1, 1994, Cramer was taken off work totally due to his injuries. On June 27, 1994, Broedell terminated Cramer’s employment. Cramer’s primary treating physician opined that Plaintiff had reached maximum medical improvement and assigned him a 9% impairment rating pursuant to the requirements of § 440.15(3)(a) (Supp.1990). Plaintiffs allege that, on August 31, 1994, Cramer filed a claim for “wage-loss” benefits, pursuant to § 440.15, Florida Statutes (Supp.1990).

Plaintiff Kessler alleges that she was employed by Defendant Winn-Dixie as a deli and bakery manager, and she loaded and unloaded trucks and performed general labor. On March 18,1994, Kessler injured her lower back, right leg, and right foot in the course of her employment. After her injury, Kessler worked light-duty, decorating cakes, for two weeks until April 6, 1994. At that time, Kessler was unable to continue working and was taken off work. Kessler’s primary treating physician opined that she had reached maximum medical improvement and assigned her a 7% impairment to the body as a whole pursuant to the requirements of § 440.15(3)(a) (1993). Kessler alleges that she filed a claim for disability benefits, seeking “impairment” disability benefits, pursuant to § 440.15, Florida Statutes (1993).

In four counts, the Plaintiffs further allege that they were discriminated against on the basis of their disabilities, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), 42 U.S.C. § 12112 et seq. together with 29 C.F.R. §§ 1630.4, 1630.5, 1630.7, and 1630.1. Plaintiff Earl Cramer brings this action individually and as a class representative of Plaintiffs entitled to “wage-loss” pursuant to Section 440.15 (Supp.1990). Robin Kessler brings this action individually and as a class representative of Plaintiffs entitled to disability “impairment” benefits pursuant to § 440.15 (1993). The Plaintiffs allege that by engaging in the enforcement of Florida Statutes, Sections 440.15 (Supp.1990) and 440.15 (1993) after the enactment of the ADA, Defendants have denied Plaintiffs a right to have equal eligibility for “wage-loss” and “impairment” benefits in a manner which is consistent with the ADA. The Plaintiffs seek a judgment declaring that Florida Statutes, §§ 440.15 (Supp.1990) and 440.15 (1993) are violative of the ADA.

The Defendants’ motions to dismiss the Amended Complaint are primarily based on the following arguments: (1) Plaintiffs are not qualified individuals with a disability within the meaning of the ADA; (2) The ADA does not reach allegations of discrimination in the application of workers’ compensation because the sole purpose of the ADA is to prevent discrimination against disabled persons as compared to non-disabled persons; (3) The ADA, like the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not guarantee equal benefits for disabled persons; and (4) The ADA does not preempt Florida’s workers’ compensation law.

MOTION TO DISMISS STANDARD

It is well established that “a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim should not be granted unless it appears to a certainty that the plaintiff would not be entitled to recover under any state of facts which could be proved in support of his claim.” Cook & Nichol, Inc. v. Plimsoll Club, 451 F.2d 505, 506 (5th Cir.1971); accord Conley v. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41, 47-48, 78 S.Ct. 99, 102-03, 2 L.Ed.2d 80 (1957). In evaluating the sufficiency of a complaint for purposes of a motion to dismiss, the allegations of the complaint must be accepted as true, Hishon v. King & Spalding, 467 U.S. 69, 104 S.Ct. 2229, 81 L.Ed.2d 59 (1984), and viewed in a light most favorable to the plaintiff. Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 94 S.Ct. 1683, 40 L.Ed.2d 90 (1974).

*1548 BACKGROUND

The relevant portion of the ADA for purposes of this action is Title I, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111-12117, which governs employment. The purpose of Title I is to ensure that qualified individuals are protected from discrimination on the basis of disability. 42 U.S.C. § 12101(b)(1). The ADA defines “disability” with respect to an individual as: (1) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual; (2) a record of such impairment; or (3) being regarded as having such an impairment. 42 U.S.C. § 12102(2). The ADA provides that:

No covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability of such individual in regard to job application procedures, the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees, employee compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

42 U.S.C.

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Bluebook (online)
885 F. Supp. 1545, 4 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 687, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6399, 1995 WL 284158, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/cramer-v-state-of-florida-flmd-1995.