Krehbiel v. Union Pacific Railroad Co.

Krehbiel v. Union Pacific Railroad Co. - Plain English Summary

What Happened

A worker filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad claiming the company discriminated against him because of his disability—specifically alcohol dependence disorder. He argued the railroad failed to accommodate his disability as required by law.

What the Court Decided

The court sided with Union Pacific Railroad and dismissed the case before trial. The judge found that the worker did not provide enough evidence to prove discrimination had actually occurred based on his disability.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case shows that workers claiming disability discrimination must present clear proof that their disability caused unfair treatment. Simply having a disability and losing a job isn't enough—the worker needs to demonstrate a direct connection between the disability and the employer's decision. Workers pursuing disability discrimination claims should gather documentation showing how their disability was treated differently compared to other employees, and document any requests for accommodations and the employer's responses.