Werner Enterprises Owes $36 Million in EEOC Disability Bias Suit

Werner Enterprises Inc. and Drivers Management LLC must pay more than $36 million for discriminating against a deaf truck driver applicant because of his disability, a federal jury said Friday.

The US District Court for the District of Nebraska jury also sided with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on whether the companies failed to accommodate Victor Robinson as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. It awarded $75,000 for Robinson’s emotional pain and suffering, and $36 million in punitive damages.

The companies didn’t establish their defense that business necessity supported rejecting Robinson for a driver job, according to the verdict ...