Updated
Updated · Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly · Aug 9
U.S. Court Dismisses ADA Claim, Orders 30-Day ERISA Discovery Against Steere House
Updated
Updated · Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly · Aug 9

U.S. Court Dismisses ADA Claim, Orders 30-Day ERISA Discovery Against Steere House

1 articles · Updated · Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly · Aug 9

Summary

  • A Rhode Island federal judge threw out the plaintiff’s ADA claim against Steere House but let her ERISA dispute proceed into 30 days of limited discovery over COBRA notice.
  • The court said the amended complaint alleged a constructive discharge tied to the plaintiff’s complaints about business practices, not to any action taken because of her disability.
  • On ERISA, the dispute centers on whether COBRA notice was timely and whether Steere House itself—rather than a third-party administrator—could face liability.
  • Judge DuBose also dismissed the plaintiff’s FMLA claim, narrowing the case to the ERISA issue identified for targeted discovery.

Insights

Why did a disputed COBRA letter save a former employee's lawsuit after their discrimination claims collapsed?
Can an employer escape ERISA penalties if their third-party administrator fumbled a crucial COBRA notice?