Jane A. Gagliardo John Gagliardo v. Connaught Laboratories, Inc.

Court Rules in Favor of Worker Fired Due to Multiple Sclerosis

Jane Gagliardo sued her former employer, Connaught Laboratories, after being fired because of her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. She claimed the company illegally discriminated against her based on her disability and wrongfully terminated her employment.

The court sided with Gagliardo. A jury found that Connaught Laboratories violated both federal disability law (the Americans with Disabilities Act) and Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination law when they fired her due to her Multiple Sclerosis. The court awarded her $2 million in compensatory damages to cover her losses and suffering, plus an additional $300,000 in punitive damages to punish the company for its illegal conduct. When the company appealed, a higher court upheld the decision.

This case is important for workers because it reinforces that employers cannot fire someone simply because they have a disability. Companies must follow disability accommodation laws and cannot discriminate against employees with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis. The substantial damages awarded ($2.3 million total) show that courts take disability discrimination seriously and that workers who face similar situations may be entitled to significant compensation for their losses.