Haney v. CSX Transportation, Inc.

CourtDistrict Court, M.D. Florida
DecidedSeptember 4, 2025
Docket3:23-cv-01226
StatusUnknown

This text of Haney v. CSX Transportation, Inc. (Haney v. CSX Transportation, Inc.) 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
Haney v. CSX Transportation, Inc., (M.D. Fla. 2025).

Opinion

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA JACKSONVILLE DIVISION

ANDREA HANEY, as Personal Representative for the Estate of BRIAN L. HANEY, on behalf of the Estate,1

Plaintiff, Case No. 3:23-cv-1226-TJC-PDB v.

CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.,

Defendant.

ORDER This is an employment case set in the COVID-19 era. Brian Haney worked for CSX Transportation, Inc., and brings three claims: disability discrimination, retaliation, or alternatively breach of contract seeking to enforce a settlement agreement. CSX has moved for summary judgment, and the matter has been fully briefed. Docs. 20, 29, and 34. The Court held a hearing on the motion on July 23, 2025, and incorporates that discussion by reference. Docs. 46 and 47.

1 In 2022, Brian Haney was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died later that year. See Doc. 4 ¶¶ 27, 30. This lawsuit is brought by his widow, Andrea Haney, on behalf of his estate. Id. ¶ 4. I. FACTS A. Overview of Haney’s Employment with CSX

CSX hired Haney in 1998 as a dispatcher in Indianapolis, Indiana location. Doc. 21-2 ¶ 5. By 2018, the Indianapolis location had shut down, and Haney transferred to Florida. See Doc. 21-1 ¶ 3; Doc. 21-2 ¶ 11. Also by 2018, Haney was diagnosed with diabetes and received an accommodation to wear

open toed shoes at work and take breaks to administer medication. Doc. 21-7 at 39–40. Before 2020, Haney did not need any other accommodations to perform his job. See id. at 39–40. Haney’s last job was as Assistant Chief Train Dispatcher (ACD), a union position.2 Doc. 21-2 ¶¶ 5–6.

B. Haney’s 2020 Surgery and Effort to Return to Work (March to September 2020)

In March 2020, Haney took leave for scheduled surgery. See id. ¶ 8; Doc. 21-2 ¶ 5. Several months later, Haney had recovered and was ready to return to work, but COVID-19 was a concern. In late May, Haney asked CSX about working from home. Doc. 28-1 at 1. In early June, Haney’s physician, Dr. Bruce Records, submitted a CSX form requesting Haney be allowed to work from home until after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination due to his “significantly increased risk of death” if he were to contract COVID-19.3 Doc. 28-2. Haney had increased

2 The position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between CSX and the American Train Dispatchers Association. Doc. 21-2 ¶¶ 5–6. 3 The submission used a prior version of the CSX Employee risk due to diabetes, hypertension, and morbid obesity. Id. The form asked if these conditions “result[ed] in a substantial impairment in [Haney’s] ability to

perform the Activities of Daily Living when away from work” and Dr. Records checked “No.” Id. It also asked about Haney’s ability to perform at “baseline” or “Full Capacity,” with the option to check a box for yes or no. Id. For both, Dr. Records wrote “NA.” Id.

In June, the CSX medical department notified Haney it could not provide an accommodation because he did not have an active illness preventing him from working. See Doc. 28-4; Doc. 21-8 at 25–28. Haney was told the request should be directed to his union, labor relations and human resources.4 See Doc.

28-4; Doc. 21-8 at 25–28. Thus began one of the communication issues between the parties. From Haney’s view, the medical department told him he did not have a disability and “would not grant [his] request for a reasonable accommodation because it was an issue for Labor Relations.” Doc. 28-5. The

CSX medical department viewed the situation differently: “The information we had was he was requesting an accommodation for a medical condition that he

Accommodation Request Form, returning just the questionnaire portion (excluding instructions). Compare Doc. 21-8 at 78–80 with Doc. 21-6 at 169–74. 4 Haney interpreted this as “official notice from CSX that it is unwilling to enter into an interactive process as required by law to discuss my request for a reasonable accommodation for my covered disability . . . .” Doc. 28-4. did not currently have, which was COVID-19. In the absence of that condition, then there wasn't any reason to address it under ADA.”5 Doc. 21-8 at 26.

On July 1, 2020, Haney complained to the Vice President of Human Resources, about discrimination, resulting in an investigation by Matt Charron, Senior Manager Employee Relations. Doc. 28-5; Doc. 28-6. Between July and September 2020, Haney and CSX (primarily Charron) communicated

frequently about the status of Haney’s request/complaint, including options to allow Haney to return to work.6 Haney requested to work remotely or report to a CSX location with a private office and restroom. See Doc. 21-6 at 54; Doc. 21-2 ¶¶ 12–13. CSX

5 Mrs. Haney’s testimony confirmed that when Haney tried to return to work after surgery, he “did not have a disability that prevented him from working. That is correct.” Doc. 21-7 at 88. 6 The following information is offered to show the frequency of communication but does not detail nor fully describe all communication. Charron reached out to Haney on July 5, 2020, and Haney returned the call on July 9, 2020, and Charron followed up by email that day. Doc. 28-8 at 5. Haney emailed about the status on July 22, 2020, and Charron responded the same day, telling Haney it was still under investigation. Doc. 28-7; Doc. 28-8 at 4. Charron and Haney spoke by phone (initiated by Charron) on July 24, 2020. Id. at 3–4. Haney emailed Charron expressing concerns. Doc. 28-8 at 1–3. Haney emailed Charron on July 31, 2020, asking about progress and Charron responded the same day, that it was still under investigation. Doc. 28-9 at 3; Doc. 28-10 at 1. Haney emailed again asking about progress on August 14, 2020. Doc. 28-10 at 1. Charron emailed on August 17, 2020, “[s]till working on matter.” Doc. 28-13 at 3. Haney emailed Charron on September 1, 2020, about status. Id. Charron responded on September 3, 2020, thanking Haney for his patience. See Doc. 28-12. determined Haney could not work remotely because dispatcher roles, including Haney’s, used specialized equipment, which could not be moved, even to other

CSX locations. Doc. 21-5 at 19. Because trains operate continuously (24/7, everyday), workstations are shared with coworkers across shifts. Id. at 16. CSX never allowed a dispatcher or ACD to work from home. Id. at 19. The work area for dispatchers and ACD’s had multiple workspaces, but no available private

offices or restrooms. Doc. 21-2 ¶ 12; see Doc. 21-5 at 16–17. Haney proposed relocating back to the Indianapolis facility, but the building was for sale and not operational.7 Doc. 21-2 ¶ 11. CSX offered to train Haney for positions that would allow remote work, but Haney declined. Id. ¶

10. CSX emphasized to Haney the safety precautions it was taking generally, including self-screening checklists, temperature checks, facemasks, staggered start times to avoid congestion, limits on the number of people in common areas, enhanced cleaning, sanitation stations, and upgraded air filtration where

Haney worked. Doc. 21-2 ¶14; Doc. 21-3 ¶ 3; Doc. 28-14. In late August, Dr. Records completed and returned two CSX forms: “Certification of Ongoing Illness or Injury” and “Attending Physician’s Return to Work Report.” See Doc. 28-11. Dr. Records indicated Haney could work two

weeks after being vaccinated or he could immediately return to work if allowed

7 After the transfer, Haney maintained homes in both Florida and Indiana. See Doc. 21-7 at 58. to work remotely or at a work location sufficiently isolated.8 See id. In September, CSX offered Haney an isolated and dedicated workstation.9 Doc.

21-3 ¶ 5; Doc 21-1 ¶ 8. After consulting with Dr. Records, Haney declined this option. Doc. 21-6 at 30; Doc. 21-7 at 187. After communicating with Haney, CSX’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Heligman, contacted Dr.

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