Eastman Chemical Fails to Beat Ex-Worker’s Disability Bias Suit

Eastman Chemical Co. must go to trial to face claims that it discriminated and retaliated against a worker with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Joshua Canipe presented sufficient evidence, including that he was fired while his long-term disability paperwork was pending, to create a factual dispute as to whether Eastman’s stated reasons for terminating Canipe were pretextual, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee said. Judge Clifton L. Corker’s Tuesday opinion mostly denied Eastman’s bid for summary judgment.

Canipe worked as an entry-level baling operator for the specialty materials manufacturer ...