Estate of Szleszinski v. Labor & Industry Review Commission

**What Happened** A truck driver named Szleszinski worked for Midwest Coast Transport but suffered from Wilson's disease, a medical condition that affects the liver and brain. The company prohibited him from driving trucks because of his disability and he lost his job. Szleszinski filed a discrimination complaint, arguing that the company illegally discriminated against him based on his medical condition. **What the Court Decided** The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of Szleszinski. The court found that Midwest Coast Transport did discriminate against him because of his disability when they banned him from driving. The company was ordered to give him back pay, benefits, and cover his attorney fees. The case had previously gone through multiple levels of review, but the Supreme Court ultimately sided with the worker. **Why This Matters for Workers** This decision reinforces that employers cannot simply ban workers from doing their jobs solely because they have a medical condition or disability. Companies must follow proper procedures and consider whether workers can still perform their duties safely, possibly with accommodations. Workers who face disability discrimination have legal protections and can seek compensation for lost wages and benefits when employers violate these rights.