Barnes v. Gorman

536 U.S. 181 (2002)

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Barnes v. Gorman

United States Supreme Court
536 U.S. 181 (2002)

  • Written by Alexander Hager-DeMyer, JD

Facts

Jeffrey Gorman (plaintiff) was a paraplegic who used a wheelchair for mobility and lacked control over his lower body, including his bladder. Gorman wore a catheter attached to a urine bag around his waist. Gorman was arrested after an altercation with a nightclub staff member. During transport to the police station, Gorman was forcibly removed from his wheelchair, improperly secured in the police van, and fell from his seat onto the van floor. Gorman suffered a bladder infection, serious back pain, and uncontrollable muscle spasms due to the incident. Gorman filed suit against several police-department officials (police) (defendants), claiming that the arresting officers discriminated against him because of his disability in violation of § 202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. A jury found the police liable and awarded both compensatory and punitive damages. The district court vacated the punitive damages, finding that punitive damages were not available as a remedy for § 202 ADA and § 504 Rehabilitation Act claims. Gorman appealed to the Eighth Circuit, which reinstated punitive damages. The police appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Scalia, J.)

Concurrence (Stevens, J.)

Concurrence (Souter, J.)

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