$450,000 Federal Jury Verdict Secured for Disabled Public School Teacher Whose Employer Revoked Reasonable Accommodations

Stembridge Taylor prevailed in second jury trial of the year in the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of GA. Crystal Lamb, a 20-year special education teacher, brought disability discrimination and retaliation claims against her former employer Clayton County School District for terminating her employment after refusing to accommodate her disability. Despite receiving medical documentation for five months straight showing Ms. Lamb’s ability to perform all essential functions of her job, Clayton County told Ms. Lamb that if she could not work without restrictions or accommodations, her only choices were to retire or resign. After five days of testimony, the jury deliberated for about seven hours and found against the Clayton County School District. The jury awarded Ms. Lamb $200,000 for each claim of disparate treatment and failure to accommodate, and $50,000 for her retaliation claim. In addition to her $450,000 award [capped at $300,000], Ms. Lamb’s back-wages for the period during which the school refused to let her return to work are to be determined by presiding Magistrate Judge Justin Anand.