Attorney Ross Recognized by NH Supreme Court
by Gary Karnedy
Last Friday, on June 20, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act do not extend to retirees where the alleged discrimination occurred after they retired, Stanley v. City of Sanford, Florida. The Court reasoned that a “qualified individual” under the Act was a person who either held or was seeking a job. The claimant Karyn Stanley was a firefighter who retired early after developing Parkinson’s disease. At the time of retirement, her employer, the City of Sanford, Florida provided health insurance to age 65 for early retirement due to disability, as well as for retirees with 25 years of service. After Ms. Stanley retired, the City changed the policy to only provide 24 months of health insurance for individuals who retired due to disability. One point of caution: keep in mind when you have retiree issues arise that there could be other laws that protect your retired former employees, depending on the circumstances.
