ST. LOUIS RAMS TO PAY $134,000 FOR DISABILITY BIAS

EEOC Settles Suit for Long-Time NFL Trainer Fired Because of Epilepsy

ST. LOUIS  -- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) today announced the  settlement of a disability discrimination lawsuit against the St. Louis Rams,  the city’s National Football League (NFL) team, for $134,000 and important remedial  relief on behalf of Ron DuBuque, a long-term employee with a seizure disorder.

Under the terms of the consent decree, filed today  for approval in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (EEOC and DuBuque v. The St. Louis Rams  Partnership, The Rams Football Company, Inc. and ITB Football Company, L.L.C.,  doing business as The St. Louis Rams, 4:08-CV-01503-TIA), the Rams will  pay a total of $134,000 to settle the case – including emotional distress  damages of $100,000 and a $34,000 contract in which DuBuque will be engaged as  a Rehabilitation Specialist for two years. The decree also requires the team to  provide training on the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) to managers and supervisors  of the Rams.

“As this case and many others show, disability does  not mean inability,” said EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart J. Ishimaru. “All  employers should make workplace decisions based on merit and qualifications to  do the job, rather than on myths, fears, or stereotypes associated with a  person’s disability.”

DuBuque, who had been an  assistant trainer with the team for 11 years before he was fired, had epilepsy  during his entire employment. DuBuque and the EEOC  alleged that he had successfully performed his job until the Rams' management,  in June 2006, claimed he was a medical liability and posed a threat to his own  safety and that of coworkers. DuBuque was diagnosed  with trauma-induced epilepsy in 1984, more than a decade before working for the  Rams.

“We are pleased that Ron DuBuque and  the EEOC were able to reach an agreement with the Rams that will enable us to further  Congress’ intention that persons with disabilities be treated as the valuable  employees they are,” said Regional Attorney Barbara A. Seely of the EEOC’s St.  Louis District Office. “The St. Louis Rams, one of the most well-known and prestigious  employers in our city, have a legal obligation under the ADA to provide a workplace free from  disability discrimination.”

The  EEOC enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Further information about the Commission is  available on its web site at www.eeoc.gov.