Summers v. Altarum Inst. Corp.,
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
740 F.3d 325 (2014)
Facts
Carl Summers (plaintiff) worked for Altarum Institute Corporation (Altarum) (defendant) as a senior analyst. While traveling to the offices of a client one day, Summers tripped and fell exiting a commuter train. He fractured his left leg, tore the meniscus in his left knee, fractured his right ankle, and ruptured his right quadriceps-patellar tendon. He had two surgeries and could not walk normally for at least seven months. After his surgery, Summers contacted Altarum regarding short-term disability and returning to work on a remote basis. Summers was granted short-term disability benefits by Altarum’s insurance provider, but Altarum never communicated with Summers about a return to work. About six weeks after his injury, Altarum notified Summers that he was terminated from his role as an analyst. Summers sued Altarum, claiming that he was wrongfully discharged due to his disability. The district court dismissed Summers’s complaint for failure to state a claim on which relief can be granted. Summers appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Motz, J.)
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