State ex rel. Sir v. Gateway Taxi Management Co.

400 S.W.3d 478, 28 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 117, 2013 WL 1624825, 2013 Mo. App. LEXIS 465
CourtMissouri Court of Appeals
DecidedApril 16, 2013
DocketNos. ED 98703, ED 98715
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 400 S.W.3d 478 (State ex rel. Sir v. Gateway Taxi Management Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Missouri Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State ex rel. Sir v. Gateway Taxi Management Co., 400 S.W.3d 478, 28 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 117, 2013 WL 1624825, 2013 Mo. App. LEXIS 465 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013).

Opinion

KATHIANNE KNAUP CRANE, Presiding Judge.

Respondent taxicab company appeals, and complainant taxicab driver applicant cross-appeals, from the judgment of the circuit court entered on judicial review of the Decision and Order of the Missouri Commission on Human Rights (the Commission). The Attorney General (the A.G.) had filed an amended complaint that alleged that respondent had discriminated against complainant in violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA), section 213.055 RSMo (2000),1 when it refused to consider complainant’s application to become a taxicab driver because he had suffered a stroke, even though he was capable of performing the job of a taxicab driver. The Commission concluded that respondent was an employer under the MHRA; that complainant had a disability that did not interfere with performing the job of a taxicab driver; that the disability was a contributing factor in respondent’s refusal to hire complainant; and that complainant could perform the job of a taxicab driver. Among other relief, the Commission ordered respondent to pay complainant damages in the amounts of $50,000 for humiliation and emotional distress and $35,000 for deprivation of his civil rights.

On appeal, respondent challenges the Commission’s findings that (1) respondent’s taxicab drivers are employees, not independent contractors, and (2) complainant is disabled as defined by section 213.010(4) of the MHRA. It also challenges the amounts of damages awarded to complainant. On cross-appeal, complainant challenges the Commission’s failure to award him back pay and punitive damages. He also challenges an action taken by the circuit court.

We affirm for the following reasons: (1) Respondent’s taxicab drivers were employees and not independent contractors under Missouri law applicable in MHRA cases; (2) the finding that complainant was disabled as defined by section 213.010(4) of the MHRA was supported by competent and substantial evidence of the physical limitations resulting from complainant’s stroke, and evidence that complainant was restricted in performing a job or a class of jobs was not required; (3) the actual damage awards were supported by competent and substantial evidence; (4) the Commission did not err in failing to award back pay when back pay was not requested; (5) the MHRA does not authorize the Commission to award punitive damages; and [482]*482(6) complainant’s point challenging an action of the circuit court is unreviewable because it is not addressed to an error of the Commission.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Relationship between Respondent and its Drivers

Respondent, Gateway Taxi Management Company, doing business as Laclede Cab Company, operated approximately 120-140 taxicabs. They were painted red, bore the name “Laclede Cab,” and were equipped with a radio and a meter. Respondent had permits for its drivers. Respondent leased the taxicabs to the drivers for twelve or twenty-four hour shifts. Respondent provided liability insurance; vehicle maintenance, including oil changes; and a charge system for payment of fares. Respondent also provided customers for its drivers through a radio dispatch system. The dispatcher informed the drivers of a customer’s location, and drivers responded by giving their locations. The job went to the driver who was closest to the customer.

Drivers were responsible for paying the leasing fee and gas and for keeping the taxicab clean. Drivers received fares from customers and were entitled to keep all fares and tips, in excess of the leasing fee. Respondent did not keep records of the drivers’ receipts.

Respondent advertised when it had openings for taxicab drivers. The advertisements were for full-time positions. Respondent required prospective drivers to be at least twenty-four years old, have a Class E Chauffeur’s license, pass a test exhibiting knowledge of various geographic locations in the area, communicate effectively in English, lift luggage up to seventy pounds, and assist passengers. To apply for a driving position, applicants were required to come to the office, complete a taxicab driver application, and undergo an interview.

Before respondent would hire a driver, the driver had to sign an independent contractor lease agreement, pass both a drug test and a physical, and supply a police report. Respondent would then send the prospective driver to the Metropolitan Taxicab Commission (MTC) to get an MTC taxi driver’s license. An applicant for an MTC license must present documentation showing that the company has accepted the licensee as a driver. When the MTC issues a license, the license is limited to the company for whom the driver is driving.

If respondent hired a driver, he or she could have an “open shift” for twenty-four hours a day or a twelve-hour shift. Respondent provided its drivers with two days of training during which they watched a safe driving film and were taught to use the taxicab’s dispatch system, meter, charge cards, and how to handle different situations, such as assisting customers or an accident.

Chronology

Complainant, Anatoly Sir, who had been a taxicab driver in Russia, began driving a taxicab in the United States in 1992. He continued to drive a taxicab for various companies until August 1998, when he suffered a stroke. After he was released from the hospital and completed physical therapy, complainant passed a hospital-administered medical examination and was permitted to drive. Complainant resumed driving a taxicab for a series of taxicab companies for approximately five years, up until October 2004, when he stopped driving for his last taxicab company because of mechanical problems with the taxicab. After his stroke, complainant was able to work as a taxicab driver up to twelve to fourteen hours a day and was able to lift luggage. In 2004, complainant had a current MTC taxi driver’s license for his last [483]*483company, which he had obtained by submitting a drug test, police report, traffic report, and physical examination.

In October 2004, complainant saw respondent’s advertisement for taxicab drivers and went to respondent’s office, filled out an application, and made an appointment to return for an interview. When complainant returned for the interview, respondent’s then-president, Jerry Standley, came out to meet complainant with complainant’s application in his hand. Mr. Standley looked at the application and said it was “very good.” Complainant was seated at a table in the lobby; he lifted his left arm with his right arm, stood up, and stumbled. Mr. Standley asked, “What’s up with your left hand ... You got stroke.” Mr. Standley said he would not take complainant because he did not “want to have problems with [the] insurance company.” Then he told complainant to “get out.” The interview lasted approximately two or three minutes. Respondent did not hire complainant.

After this interview, complainant felt angry, upset, embarrassed, degraded, and humiliated. Complainant testified that Mr. Standley talked down to him like he was a “slave” or “garbage,” and treated him like he was homeless and asking for change. Complainant testified that for approximately two months after the interview, he experienced insomnia, depression, and pressure in his chest. Complainant further testified that he also experienced marital friction and loss of self-esteem, customers, and income.

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Steven Loerch v. City of Union, Missouri
Missouri Court of Appeals, 2022
Jeremy Heuton v. Ford Motor Company
930 F.3d 1015 (Eighth Circuit, 2019)
Heuton v. Ford Motor Co.
309 F. Supp. 3d 714 (E.D. Missouri, 2018)
Vermett v. State
544 S.W.3d 294 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2018)
Mignone v. Mo. Dep't of Corr.
546 S.W.3d 23 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2018)
Primitivo Soto v. Costco Wholesale Corp
502 S.W.3d 38 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2016)
City of St. Louis v. Roland Hill
488 S.W.3d 156 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2016)
Janet Hurst v. Kansas City, Missouri School District
437 S.W.3d 327 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2014)
Wells v. Fedex Ground Package System, Inc.
979 F. Supp. 2d 1006 (E.D. Missouri, 2013)
Coyle v. City of St. Louis
408 S.W.3d 281 (Missouri Court of Appeals, 2013)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
400 S.W.3d 478, 28 Am. Disabilities Cas. (BNA) 117, 2013 WL 1624825, 2013 Mo. App. LEXIS 465, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-ex-rel-sir-v-gateway-taxi-management-co-moctapp-2013.