Worker fired for panic attacks can take ADA claim to a jury, court says

A car dealership employee with anxiety, depression and panic attacks can continue her claim that her employer violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by firing her because of her disabilities, a federal district court ruled (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Crain Automotive Holdings, LLC No. 17-cv-00627 (E.D. Ark. April 11, 2019)). Contrary to her employer's argument, a reasonable jury could conclude that Judith Vaughan has a disability, the court found, as her anxiety, depression and panic attacks interfered with her thinking, breathing and communicating — major life activities, as defined by the ADA. When she first experienced chest pains that were symptomatic of panic attacks, Vaughan notified her supervisor and later followed up to inform her that she had experienced a panic attack. She continued to communicate with her supervisor as she underwent medical treatment and provided doctors' notes and other forms of documentation.