# Granas v. Union Pacific Railroad Company

> District Court, D. Oregon · August 18, 2025

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11122644

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, D. Oregon
- **Decided:** August 18, 2025
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

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## Opinion text

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF OREGON
MEDFORD DIVISION

MARK GRANAS, Civ. No. 1:21-cv-00116-AA

Plaintiff, OPINION AND ORDER

v.

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD
COMPANY,

Defendant.

_______________________________________
AIKEN, District Judge:
Plaintiff Mark Granas brought claims for disability discrimination under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., and its state
equivalent, ORS § 659A.112, against his former employer, Defendant Union Pacific
Railroad. After a one-week trial, a unanimous jury found Union Pacific had violated
the ADA and Oregon law by discriminating against Plaintiff based on his disability
and by applying criteria that screens out or tends to screen out individuals with a
disability. The jury awarded damages which included an advisory verdict for back
pay and punitive damages. Based on the evidence at trial, the Court finds that
Plaintiff shall be awarded $509,849 in back pay and $25,000,000 in punitive damages.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
The Court’s factual findings are set forth below from the evidence and
testimony presented at trial. As introduction, Union Pacific terminated Plaintiff after

he dislocated his shoulder. While Plaintiff’s physicians found him physically fit to
return to work, Union Pacific placed permanent restrictions on Plaintiff that
prohibited him from returning to his job because of his shoulder dislocation. Plaintiff
sued for disability discrimination under state and federal law.
A. Pre-trial Background

At the summary judgment stage, Union Pacific moved against all claims. The
Court denied Union Pacific’s motion on Plaintiff’s first and fourth claims for relief for
“disability discrimination” under federal and state law. Order on. Mot. at 14-17, ECF
No. 37. The Court also denied Union Pacific’s motion on Plaintiff’s second claim for
“unlawful screening” under the ADA. Id. at 17-20. The Court granted Union Pacific’s
motion on Plaintiff’s third claim for relief for reasonable accommodation, finding that,
though it ultimately denied Plaintiff’s specific accommodation requests—and the

lawfulness of that denial remained factually in dispute in Plaintiff’s other claims—
Union Pacific nevertheless engaged in an interactive discussion concerning other
work away from his job, sufficient to grant summary judgment discreet to Plaintiff’s
reasonable accommodation claim. Id. at 20-21.
The Court encouraged settlement, but after negotiations proved unsuccessful,
the case proceeded to trial on Plaintiff’s first and fourth claims for relief for “disability
discrimination” under federal and state law and on Plaintiff’s second claim for
“unlawful screening” under the ADA.
At the pretrial conference, Union Pacific moved to bar from the jury’s

consideration the issue of punitive damages, arguing that Plaintiff had produced no
evidence warranting such damages. ECF No. 63 at 9; ECF No. 67 at 3. The Court
advised Union Pacific to make a motion at trial on the issue of punitive damages and
that the Court would rule based on evidence presented at trial. Pretrial Tr. at 14:17-
19. The Court excluded any evidence of Union Pacific’s profits unless and until it
ruled on whether the jury would hear evidence of punitive damages. Id. at 32:21-33:2.

Union Pacific also moved to exclude evidence of back pay, asserting that it is
an equitable remedy for the Court, not the jury, to award. ECF No. 63 at 4-5. Union
Pacific proposed having a separate bench trial on remedies, id., but the Court
determined that judicial economy favored allowing testimony about back pay
alongside testimony about Plaintiff’s other alleged damages. Pretrial Tr. 9:18-10:23,
ECF No. 91; Pretrial Or. at 2-3, ECF No. 87.
Notwithstanding that all evidence would be heard together at trial, the Court

explained that the jury’s award of back pay and punitive damages, if any, would be
advisory, citing Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 39. Pretrial Tr. 10:20-22.
B. Trial Background and Jury Instructions

At trial, after Plaintiff rested his case, Union Pacific moved for a directed
verdict on all Plaintiff’s claims and on the issue of punitive damages under Rule 50(a).
ECF No. 98; Trial Tr. at 645; Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(a). Plaintiff also moved for a directed
verdict on his claims. Trial Tr. at 651. The Court denied both parties’ motions,
determining that more than one reasonable conclusion could be drawn from the
evidence at trial, precluding judgment as a matter of law. Trial Tr. at 647:10, 650:23;

654:12; 655:22.
The Court then held a conference for counsel to discuss and propose revisions
to jury instructions. Trial Tr. 611:2-22; 676:1-10. On the record, Union Pacific
objected to the Court’s inclusion of an instruction about punitive damages, arguing
that the issue of punitive damages should not go to the jury. Id. at 792:1-9.
Union Pacific also objected to the Court’s decision to strike its proposed

instruction about the business judgment rule defense. Id. at 792:1-9. The Court found
Union Pacific’s proposed instruction about the business judgment rule was
inapplicable to the facts of the case and legally incorrect. Id. at 792:12-18. Union
Pacific also objected to the verdict form, arguing that the form should not ask the jury
whether Union Pacific was liable under federal law and under state law. Id. at 793:2-
24. The Court determined that the verdict form should include questions about both
claims, because Plaintiff had pleaded them separately and the risk of an inconsistent

verdict was low. Id.
C. Jury Verdict and Award of Damages

After several hours of deliberation, the jury found unanimously on all
Plaintiff’s claims. First, the jury found that Plaintiff was a “qualified individual” with
a disability who, either with or without a reasonable accommodation, could perform
the essential functions of the job he had at Union Pacific. Jury Verdict Form (“JVF”)
at 1 (question 1), ECF No. 104.
Next, the jury found that Union Pacific discriminated against Plaintiff because

of his disability under the ADA and Oregon law when it removed Plaintiff from his
job and refused to allow him to return to it. Id. (questions 2 and 3).
Additionally, the jury found that Union Pacific discriminated against Plaintiff
under federal law by imposing selection criteria that screens out, tends to screen out,
or has a disparate impact on individuals who disclose disabilities. Id. at 2 (question
4). As to the railroad’s affirmative defenses, the jury found that Union Pacific did not

prove its “direct threat” defense or its “business necessity” defense. Id. (questions 5
and 6).
To “fairly and adequately” compensate Plaintiff, the jury awarded past wages
to present (back pay) in the amount of $509,849; future wages (front pay) in the
amount of $443,014; and noneconomic damages of $1,000,000. Id. at 3 (question 7).
The verdict form also asked “[s]hould [Union Pacific] pay punitive damages?”
to which the jury answered “[y]es.” Id. (question 8). As to “what amount of punitive

damages” Union Pacific should pay, the jury wrote “25 million.” Id. (question 9). The
jury had been instructed as to punitive damages as follows:
If you find for Plaintiff, you may, but are not required to, award punitive
damages. The purposes of punitive damages are to punish a defendant
and to deter similar acts in the future. Punitive damages may not be
awarded to compensate a plaintiff. Plaintiff has the burden of proving
by a preponderance of the evidence that punitive damages should be
awarded and, if so, the amount of any such damages. You may award
punitive damages only if you find that Defendant's conduct that harmed
Plaintiff was malicious, oppressive or in reckless disregard of Plaintiff's
rights.

Conduct is malicious if it is accompanied by ill will, or spite, or if it is for
the purpose of injuring Plaintiff. Conduct is in reckless disregard of
Plaintiff's rights if, under the circumstances, it reflects complete
indifference to Plaintiff's safety or rights, or if Defendant acts in the face
of a perceived risk that its actions will Plaintiff's rights under federal
law.

An act or omission is oppressive if Defendant injures or damages or
otherwise violates the rights of Plaintiff with unnecessary harshness or
severity, such as by misusing or abusing authority or power or by taking
advantage of some weakness or disability or misfortune of Plaintiff. If
you find that punitive damages are appropriate, you must use reason in
setting the amount.

Punitive damages, if any, should be in an amount sufficient to fu1fill
their purposes but should not reflect bias, prejudice, or sympathy toward
any party. In considering the amount of any punitive damages, consider
the degree of reprehensibility of Defendant's conduct.

Jury Instructions at 21, ECF No. 102.
As explained, for the jury’s award of damages, two amounts were advisory: the
$509,849 in back pay and $25,000,000 in punitive damages.
The Court allowed post-trial briefing from the parties on the two advisory
awards and allocation of damages. ECF No. 107. The parties each submitted a
supplemental brief and response. ECF Nos. 16, 19, 20, 21. In addition to providing
supplemental briefing on damages, Union Pacific challenges the sufficiency of the
evidence on all Plaintiff’s claims.
LEGAL STANDARD
Under Rule 52, in an action tried on the facts with an advisory jury, the court
must find the facts specially and state its conclusions of law separately. Fed. R. Civ.
P. 52(a)(1). The findings and conclusions may be stated on the record after the close
of the evidence or, as here, may appear in an opinion or a memorandum of decision
filed by the court. Id. The court need not include each fact presented through every

witness. See Colchester v. Lazaro, 16 F.4th 712, 727 (9th Cir. 2021) (explaining that
Rule 52(a) does not require the district court to base its findings on each and every
fact presented at trial). Judgment must be entered under Rule 58. Id.
Plaintiff has the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence. 42 U.S.C.
§ 12112(a); see also Costa v. Desert Palace, Inc., 299 F.3d 838, 857 (9th Cir. 2002) (en
banc), aff'd, 539 U.S. 90 (2003) (it is employee's burden of proof to show by a

preponderance of the evidence that the challenged employment decision was because
of’ discrimination).
FINDINGS OF FACT
A. Historical Facts

1. Plaintiff testified about his background leading up to the actions giving
rise to this case. The Court finds Plaintiff’s testimony credible.
2. Plaintiff moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon as a child. During part of his
teenage years, he lived on his own in a tent, having only himself to rely on. Trial Tr.
at 43:21-44:25. During high school, he took on a host of odd jobs, including as a
dishwasher in a restaurant, splitting and selling firewood, and picking strawberries.
. at 44:7-45:10.
3. A family learned of Plaintiff’s plight, and were kind enough to let
Plaintiff live with them until he finished high school. . The family who took him in
knew a ranch owner looking for workers and recommended Plaintiff. The ranchers
hired Plaintiff to cut and bale hay, move irrigation, feed cows, and mend fences.
Plaintiff enjoyed the work so much that he determined that one day he would like to

have his own ranch. . at 45:10-17.
4. After graduating high school, Plaintiff served twenty years in the United
States Army, including a deployment to Iraq. . at 46:12-47:10. Plaintiff was 39 years
old when he came out of the military and was looking to begin a second career. He
found that career at Union Pacific Railroad Company. . at 49:5-12.
5. Plaintiff worked as a conductor and as a brakeman in the train yard. A

brakeman is involved in moving trains from point A to point B and picking up train
cars from various industries, such as tank cars, boxcars, grain cars, and lumber cars.
. at 50:1-13. Plaintiff would break down local trains from the industries and put
trains together for longer distance travels. It was rare for a brakeman to ride on the
trains during long train routes . at 51:6-19.
6. Plaintiff loved the job. He enjoyed the physical nature of the work, as
well as working outdoors. He liked the people and the scenery. . at 51:20-52:2.

Eventually, Plaintiff became a local chairman representing Union Pacific employees
in claims for contract and wage disputes. . at 52:3-21. In all, Plaintiff worked for
Union Pacific for sixteen years. . at 41:17-18.
7. In 2005, Plaintiff met and later married his wife, Jennifer. They have
two children and six grandchildren. . at 52:22-53:11; 215:24. After several years
together, Plaintiff told his wife that, since working on a ranch as a younger man, he
had always wanted to have his own ranch. The couple started small with a few head
of cattle, feeding them purchased hay, and after a while, determined they were ready
to buy their own land to raise cattle and grow, bale, and cut their own hay. . at 54:6-

55:15.
8. Plaintiff created an organizational plan to start a self-sustaining ranch.
The business model for the ranch required his income from Union Pacific. It was the
primary resource necessary to start and maintain the ranch. . at 55:15-56:2; 221:1-
6; 223:22-25. Income for railroad employees in Klamath Falls was very good—
comparable to the salary of a medical doctor in that region. . at 56:7-10.

9. The beginning years of the ranch—around 2016 to 2019—went well for
Plaintiff. Hay prices were low, cattle prices were good, and he was earning income for
calves. . at 56:18-25. Plaintiff rebuilt a lot of fences on his land. The fencing was
made of metal T-posts that required him to physically drive each post into the ground
using a steel tube with handles that covered each post. With his hands on the handles,
Plaintiff physically forced all the fence posts into the ground. . at 59:16-60:9.
Plaintiff built miles of fence line on his ranch. . at 60:15-16.

10. During that same period, Plaintiff continued to work at Union Pacific
full time and covered additional shifts for workers who called out sick or when
weather related emergencies would arise. . at 57:1-58:13. At various times in the
role of a brakeman or conductor, Plaintiff worked with different engineers. . at 59:4-
10. He enjoyed the variability and camaraderie and made some good friends. . at
59:11-12.
11. In 2019, Plaintiff’s primary role was that of train conductor, the job
purpose for which is to assure safe, on-time, on-plan train operations and movement.
. at 93:10-20. Each day before work, Plaintiff was required to sign off on a safety

brief with information dependent on the operation planned for the day. Plaintiff took
the safety briefing very seriously and frequently mentored younger employees on
safety protocols. . at 96:15-97:6.
B. Plaintiff’s Injury

12. Plaintiff testified about the events leading up to his injury and about
treatment for his injury. The Court finds Plaintiff’s testimony credible.
13. On January 22, 2019, on Plaintiff’s 55th birthday, he was loading a hay
wagon before leaving for a two- or three-day Union Pacific trip to Eugene. . at 63:14-
21; 64:5. He was loading up the hay wagon so his wife could tow it behind the tractor
to feed the cows while he was away. The bales of hay were 100 or 120 pounds each
and Plaintiff wanted to spare his wife from having to move the hay bales herself while
he was away. . at 63:22-64:2.

14. While loading up the hay, Plaintiff stuck a hay hook into a bale to pull
it up, expecting significant resistance. But there was no resistance. Loose hay came
out of the bale and Plaintiff fell backwards into the hay wagon, landing on his right
shoulder. . at 64:8-13. Plaintiff had his cell phone in his back pocket. He called his
wife, who took him to the emergency room. . at 65:1-17.
15. At the emergency room, Plaintiff learned that he had dislocated his
shoulder. . at 65:17-19.
16. The doctor put Plaintiff’s shoulder back in place. . at 65:22-66:4.
Plaintiff was ultimately diagnosed with a right shoulder dislocation and the
emergency room suspected a Hill-Sachs lesion or Bankart lesion, but no MRI was

ordered to determine those suspicions. . at 182:2-6; 306:5-15. An MRI or a CT scan
is typically required to determine the presence of a Bankart lesion. . at 306:9-20.
C. Testimony of Dr. Kevin Heaton - Plaintiff’s Treating Physician

17. Dr. Kevin Heaton testified about treating Plaintiff’s shoulder. The Court
finds his testimony credible. The Court also finds that the following testimony
presented by or about Dr. Kevin Heaton is more probable than not.
18. After his initial emergency room visit, Plaintiff’ became a patient of Dr.
Heaton, an orthopedic surgeon known as a shoulder specialist in the region. . at
66:7-16; 367:2. Dr. Heaton had a general sense of the physical work required of train
conductors, brakemen, and trainmen. He has treated around one hundred railroad
employees and routinely evaluated them for release back to work safely according to
their job duties. . at 368:6-20.

19. Not all shoulder injuries are the same and treatment consideration
involves evaluating the mechanism of dislocation, the patient’s age, whether there
was soft tissue or bony damage, and whether surgery is required. . at 369:15-20.
For Plaintiff, Dr. Heaton determined that conservative treatment in conjunction with
physical therapy was the proper course of treatment. . at 371:15-19.
20. Dr. Heaton told Plaintiff he did not need shoulder surgery. . at 67:5-8.
And whether Plaintiff had a Bankhart lesion or not became irrelevant because he did
not have any signs of instability, pain, or problems associated with a Bankhart-type
lesion. . at 374:6-24.
21. In accordance with a conservative treatment plan, Dr. Heaton

prescribed sessions with a physical therapist. . at 66:23-67:4. Dr. Heaton did not
feel the need to routinely review Plaintiff’s treatment notes from his physical
therapist after every session because the medical community is very small and he
trusted that the physical therapist would reach out if Dr. Heaton’s review was
necessary. . at 376:23-377:13.
22. When deciding to release a patient for work, it is important from a

clinical standpoint to assess each patient as an individual to determine what they are
capable of doing because every person is different, and every job is different. . at
378:3-15. Though Dr. Heaton did not review the text of an official job description for
Plaintiff, he gleaned from Plaintiff what his work tasks involved, and the physical
undertakings required to fulfil those tasks. . at 392:4-21
23. Though Dr. Heaton continued seeing Plaintiff through June 2019, in
April 2019, Dr. Heaton recommended Plaintiff’s release to work without restrictions.

. at 69:4-7. Specifically, after about three months of treatment and physical
therapy, Dr. Heaton determined that Plaintiff was ready to return to working on
trains and climbing ladders. At the end of his treatment with Dr. Heaton in June,
Plaintiff had near-normal range of motion, good strength and no pain. . at 379:17-
380:2; 384:16-20. Patients like Plaintiff can also continue to improve after they are
released to work. . at 384:21-25.
24. Dr. Heaton believed that there was at least a zero percent chance that
Plaintiff would have a recurrent dislocation, stating that Plaintiff could have a zero
to ten percent chance in his lifetime of a recurrent dislocation. . at 386:19-387:10.

Plaintiff, in Dr. Heaton’s view, had no significant risk of such, however. .
D. Testimony by Ms. Sharryn Jones Smith - Plaintiff’s Physical
Therapist

25. Ms. Sharryn Jones Smith testified about her treatment of Plaintiff’s
shoulder. The Court finds her testimony credible. Further, the Court finds that the
following testimony presented by or about Ms. Jones Smith is more probable than not
under the preponderance standard.
26. Plaintiff’s physical therapist was Ms. Jones Smith who has 25 years of
experience with a doctorate in physical therapy. . at 151:10-14. Ms. Jones Smith
has treated hundreds of shoulder injuries and up to one hundred railroad employees.
158:6-12. Plaintiff initially presented wearing a sling and stating that he had
difficulty using his right arm. . at 178:21-25.
27. In physical therapy with Ms. Jones Smith, Plaintiff did exercises on
pulley systems and eventually began using weights for strength training. Toward the
end of his physical therapy, Plaintiff was doing pushups and pullups. By May or June,
Plaintiff did not experience pain in his shoulder. . at 68:1-69:5. Plaintiff still felt

strong and otherwise capable, with occasional stiffness. . at 68:6-11. Ms. Jones
Smith included work-simulated exercises for Plaintiff based on his own description of
his job duties. . at 159:3-11.
28. Plaintiff’s physical therapist also prescribed him a home exercise
routine that included a weight program and stretching. He worked hard at the
program and took it as a serious job because he wanted to get back to work at the

railroad. . at 110:1-18. At one point while working on his ranch, Plaintiff felt or
heard a pop in his shoulder. The popping sound was noted in his file, but there were
no corresponding physical symptoms. . at 315:22-316:9.
29. After several weeks of treatment, Ms. Jones Smith did not see any signs
that Plaintiff was at risk for a re-dislocation of his shoulder. . at 161:1-20. Ms. Jones
Smith believed Plaintiff would be physically able to do his job when she cleared him

to return to work. . at 160:21-25. Though Plaintiff had difficulty raising his arm
straight up, vertically by his ear, Plaintiff was able to do chest presses, a military
press, floor pull-ups, pushups, skull crushers, and use the ab roller, which Ms. Jones
Smith describes as a very high level of fitness. . at 200:14-25; 168:3-17.
30. Plaintiff reported some persistent stiffness to his physical therapist’s
assistant, but also described that, after this level of training, Plaintiff’s shoulder felt
better than it had before his injury and stronger than it was before his accident. .

at 202:7-11; 69:1-3. Plaintiff was a motivated and committed patient and Ms. Jones
Smith considered him fully functional when he concluded therapy. . at 163:8-16.
E. Plaintiff’s Return-to-Work Efforts

31. Bridgette Ziemer is a fitness-for-duty nurse in the Health and Physical
Services Department of Union Pacific. . at 395:6-17. The Court finds Ms. Ziemer to
be a credible witness. The following testimony by or about Ms. Ziemer is more
probable than not under the preponderance standard.
32. Ms. Ziemer’s role involves working with Union Pacific employees for

their return-to-work medical review as their point of contact to guide them through
the process to return to work safely. . at 104:2-9; 401:12-15. Not everyone gets to
return to work and that is a difficult aspect of the process for Ms. Ziemer.
33. Ms. Zeimer advises employees what medical records they must provide
to Union Pacific’s physicians to review. The doctors involved in review of medical
records submitted for the return-to-work review are Drs. John Holland and John

Charbonneau. . at 402:1-23.
34. After a Union Pacific employee requests off work for a medical condition,
they must provide documentation to Ms. Ziemer showing they are cleared to return
to work. . at 404:3-14.
35. After Plaintiff was released for work by Dr. Heaton in April 2019,
Plaintiff emailed Ms. Zeimer saying his doctor and physical therapist had cleared him
for return to work and Plaintiff provided the corresponding medical records. . at

411:16-21. Ms. Zeimer continued to communicate with Plaintiff about further
requests and follow up on his medical records. . at 414:1-4.
36. In the meantime, while awaiting Union Pacific’s clearance allowing him
to return to work, Plaintiff continued to build the T-post fence line on his ranch,
manually, using his own physical force. . at 60:1-14; 69:4-7. Plaintiff also climbed
ladders around his ranch, baled hay, dug ditches, and trimmed trees. . at 69:16-25;
243:7-25. Plaintiff’s full range of motion came back into his right arm. . at 80:13-
20. His endurance of his right arm became better than his left. . By June, his range
of motion on his right arm was only ten degrees less than his left arm, the unaffected

arm. . at 354:2-12. The Court finds credible Plaintiff’s testimony about his physical
ability during the waiting period for returning to work.
37. During this time, Union Pacific requested documentation from
Plaintiff’s physical therapist. The physical therapist sent a note recommending that
Plaintiff “complete therapy, continue home exercise range of motion program. Feels
he could return to work. Did caution him to avoid heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, or

jerking motions. All of 4 to 6 weeks.” Trial Ex. 3. Ms. Zeimer interpreted this as an
incongruence conflicting with Dr. Heaton’s release to work. . at 438:20:23.
38. On May 20th, 2019, Plaintiff received a letter from Union Pacific
representative Terry Brown. Trial Ex. 1; Trial Tr. 69:8-13. The letter stated Plaintiff
was prohibited from climbing ladders and therefore could not return to his job. .
39. Plaintiff was shocked to receive the letter because he had been climbing
ladders for over a month before receiving the letter. Trial Tr. at 69:11-17. Plaintiff

was surprised, overwhelmed, concerned, and angry about being prohibited from
climbing ladders. He did not understand that conclusion, given that he had been
engaging in strenuous activities around the ranch, including climbing ladders. He
was upset that no one at Union Pacific had examined him to determine whether he
was physically able to climb ladders or not. . at 70:1-18.
40. Plaintiff had a call with Ms. Ziemer about his disappointment with the
determination letter from Terry Brown and requested to speak with a Union Pacific
physician to discuss the determination further. . at 424:9-18.

41. In the meantime, Plaintiff found a job in construction five days after
receiving the letter from Union Pacific. . at 72:2-3. Plaintiff called a friend who was
a general contractor with two large projects going on. The friend offered Plaintiff a
job as a supervisor at a multimillion-dollar construction site in Tulelake, California.
. at 70:3-14. Plaintiff had never worked as a construction supervisor, but his friend
hired Plaintiff based on Plaintiff’s past leadership role in the military and his physical

capability for the work. . at 70:14-25. At the construction job, Plaintiff swung
hammers and carried cement and lumber. He worked on a three-story roof. . at
82:13-22.
42. In May 2019, a few days after Plaintiff had been working at the
construction site, he received notice of a decision from Associate Medical Director for
Union Pacific, Dr. John Charbonneau, explaining to Plaintiff that Union Pacific
determined he was medically qualified, but was subject to permanent restrictions,

namely, that Plaintiff could not climb ladders or ride on the side of railcars. . at
72:5-19; Trial Ex. 21 at 10. Dr. Charbonneau had reviewed the release notes from
Plaintiff’s treating physician and physical therapist, and a few other supporting
documents. . at 435:2-19.
43. On a phone call with Ms. Ziemer and Dr. Charbonneau, Plaintiff
explained that he did not believe the decision was fair, because he knew he could
perform the functions of his job with Union Pacific safely. If he felt he could not, he
would not do the job. He would not put his family in jeopardy. He was working much
harder at the construction site using his shoulder than he ever did at Union Pacific.

. at 73:3-13; 424:4-13.
44. Dr. Charbonneau’s notes referenced what Plaintiff had told him about
the work he was doing at the construction site. Plaintiff told Dr. Charbonneau that
he was carrying ladders, climbing on ladders, and carrying 100-pound bags of cement
and lumber. . at 73:14-74. Plaintiff would have submitted to Union Pacific for a
functional capacity test or physical examination, but none was offered. . at 74:1-

75:1. Dr. Charbonneau told Plaintiff that his main concern was about future
instability of Plaintiff’s shoulder. . at 101:7-8.
45. At other times during the fitness-for-duty process, Plaintiff explained to
Union Pacific that, even if he were to stand on a railcar, his common practice was to
ride on the right side of the train facing the front of the train, with the left arm hooked
through a rung, both feet planted, and his left and right hand free to talk on the radio
or to us for signaling. . at 79:14-24. Trainmen, nevertheless, must be prepared to

be on either side of the car. . at 473:17-24.
46. Plaintiff learned that he could appeal Union Pacific’s decision to prohibit
his return to his job, and while he did so, he started looking for work because he had
bills to pay. He was concerned that if he lost the income, he would lose the ranch,
which was dear to him. . at 70:19-25.
47. Plaintiff’s construction job came to an end while he was awaiting his
appeal determination from Union Pacific. He found work with the United States
Postal Service, believing it to be temporary while he waited on Union Pacific’s

reconsideration. Plaintiff drove big, tall vans for which he would have to use railings
to pull himself up to get into the back to access packages. . at 83:9-22.
48. Ultimately, in October 2019, Dr. Holland upheld Dr. Charbonneau’s
determination to restrict Plaintiff from returning to his job as a trainman. . at
432:49.
F. Testimony of Dr. John Holland - Union Pacific’s Fitness-for-Duty
Policy and “1 Percent Rule”

49. Dr. John Holland testified on behalf of Union Pacific railroad about its
fitness-for-duty policies. The Court finds Dr. Holland to be mostly credible. The Court
finds the following testimony to be more probable than not, under the preponderance
standard.
50. At the time of the events giving rise to the case, Union Pacific had 45,000
employees, 40,000 of which were in safety-critical or safety-sensitive jobs, that is, jobs
working in train yards, on construction crews, repairing bridges, and in other
potentially hazardous roles. . at 454:22-455:3.
51. Dr. Holland was chief medical director for Union Pacific at the time of

the events giving rise to the case and is board certified in occupational medicine. .
at 450:5-8; 453:4-5. Dr. Holland retired in 2019 after a long career in occupational
and environmental medicine across many industries. . at 453:1-14. He developed
the current fitness-for-duty policies at Union Pacific. Dr. Holland is now retired but
earns around $300,000 a year appearing as a litigation witness for Union Pacific. .
at 510:1.
52. The purpose of Union Pacific’s fitness-for-duty program was to ensure

that employees, when they came to work, they were physically and mentally fit to do
their job duties safely and efficiently, and to ensure employees had no medical
conditions that posed an underlying safety risk to themselves or others. . at 455:4-
10. An example of a condition that posed a safety risk would be a heart condition
where a person had a high risk of having an acute cardiac event. .
53. Trainmen, conductors, and brakemen are safety-sensitive positions. .

at 461:18-23. A person in Plaintiff’s position, such as a trainman, conductor, or
brakeman, would be required to stand on a ladder attached to the side of a train while
the engineer is backing a train into place. The trainman would be the eyes and ears
signaling or communicating by radio the directions to the engineer for the backup
maneuver. . at 467:12.
54. In occupational health, the concept of a safety-critical position is one
where an employee is performing a task where the work location—such as on a

moving train—or the job duties pose a significant and immediate risk if that employee
were to lose consciousness, cognitive ability, or use of limbs. . at 455:19-456:5.
Generally, the term for that sort of event is “sudden incapacitation.” . at 456:15.
55. Sudden incapacitation involves loss of consciousness or sudden or rapid
impairment of mental or physical function that poses an immediate and serious risk
to workers or others. . at 458:1-15.
56. In 2016, Dr. Holland implemented a rule that if an employee has a 1
percent per year chance of sudden incapacitation, the employee cannot work in safety
sensitive jobs. . at 350:18-351:7.

57. Whether an employee has a 1 percent chance of sudden incapacitation
is determined by reference to a listing of various conditions, such as stroke, seizures,
heart attack, embolism, thrombosis, or diabetic coma. . at 351:4-7; 456:23-25. Dr.
Holland also included in the policy anterior shoulder dislocation as a condition subject
to a risk of greater than a 1 percent per year chance of sudden incapacitation. The
policy at trial was coined “the 1 percent rule.”

58. Under the 1 percent rule, a Union Pacific employee with an anterior
shoulder dislocation would be subject to permanent work restrictions from climbing
on railcar ladders or working on ladders, holding onto ladders and standing on them
during train movements, regardless of the extent of the injury. . at 478:15-19;
480:11-24; 501:24-502:5.
59. Under the 1 percent rule, a permanent restriction for anyone having an
anterior shoulder dislocation would be across the board on every employee in train

service, regardless of any individual factor. . at 502:9-10.
60. When Plaintiff first notified Union Pacific that he had dislocated his
shoulder in January 2019, the 1 percent rule established, without regard to any other
circumstances, that Plaintiff would not be allowed to go back to work in train service
as a conductor without restrictions. . at 503:9-14.
61. Union Pacific did not produce any company documents or internal
memoranda that set forth in writing the 1 percent rule, and although it was well
known to exist, no witness had any information about where the rule could be found

in official Union Pacific policy.
62. When Dr. Charbonneau initially reviewed the case, he was aware of the
Union Pacific policy that places permanent restrictions on trainmen with anterior
shoulder dislocations. Dr. Charbonneau placed permanent work restrictions on
Plaintiff based on his understanding of the 1 percent rule application . at 481:9-16.
63. When Plaintiff asked for reconsideration, Dr. Charbonneau had

consulted Dr. Holland. . at 481:17-19.
64. Dr. Holland then contacted Dr. Phillip Streubel, an orthopedic surgeon
at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. . at 482:1-13. Union Pacific
contracted with physicians at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to consult
on fitness-for-duty cases. . The medical record Dr. Holland and Dr. Streubel
reviewed did not include all of Plaintiff’s medical history and treatment notes relating
to his rehabilitation and Dr. Holland was not aware that he could have asked Plaintiff

to sign a medical release form so Dr. Holland could obtain a more complete history.
. at 511:13-25.
65. When Dr. Holland consulted with Dr. Streubel, he conveyed that
Plaintiff had been working hard on his ranch, lifting heavy bales of hay and sacks,
and routinely climbing ladders at the construction site. . at 485:18-486:5. Dr.
Holland asked Dr. Streubel to review the medical file and provide answers to three
questions. . at 486:13-24. Dr. Holland asked Dr. Streubel not to give an opinion
about whether Plaintiff could perform specific job duties. .
66. The three questions Dr. Holland asked were (1) what is the appropriate

diagnoses?; (2) Based on your review of the materials provided, evidence in the
scientific literature, and your clinical judgment, is it probable that Plaintiff has an
ongoing risk of greater than a 1 percent per year occurrence rate of future
redislocation or instability of his right shoulder if he returns to work?; and (3)
whether Plaintiff’s shoulder required surgery. . at 488-490.
67. Dr. Holland asked for a written report from Dr. Streubel, but did not

receive one. . at 490:19-23. However, Dr. Streubel did communicate by phone with
Dr. Holland, after which Dr. Holland made his decision to continue the permanent
restrictions initially issued by Dr. Charbonneau. . at 491:1-12.
68. In conjunction with his final decision, on October 10, 2019, Dr. Holland
filled out a supplemental doctor’s statement from a form that asked, “Do you believe
that the patient is now able to work without restriction in his/her last occupation?”
Dr. Holland checked “no.” Trial Ex. 34.

69. The form further asks, “Give an estimated return-to-work date and
explain how the medical evidence shows the patient is still disabled.” .
70. Dr. Holland or his staff answered by estimating return to work by
December 31, 2050. .
71. The distant nature of the date—2050—was intended to indicate that the
restrictions were permanent. Trial Tr. at 522:5-6. Another statement on the form
proclaims that Plaintiff was “out due to medical. Permanent restrictions, not able to
accommodate.” Trial Ex. 34.
72. On page 3 of the form, there is a certification featuring Dr. Holland’s

signature stating that Plaintiff “has been disabled from performing his. . . regular
occupation . . . due to the following condition: Shoulder dislocation, permanent
restrictions, not able to accommodate.” .
73. Though Dr. Holland had reviewed Dr. Heaton’s notes saying that
Plaintiff was strong, stable, had bilateral range of motion, was working construction,
climbing ladders, and carrying lumber, Dr. Heaton’s medical assessment did not

change Dr. Holland’s opinion.
74. Dr. Holland was primarily influenced by the 1 percent policy, which
dictated that, if an employee suffered an anterior shoulder dislocation, that employee
could no longer be in train service, regardless of their individual capabilities. . at
526:1-15.
G. Testimony of Dr. Phillipp Streubel

75. Dr. Phillipp Streubel testified about his consultation with Dr. Holland
and his limited review of Plaintiff’s medical records. Unless otherwise noted, the
Court finds testimony of Dr. Streubel mostly credible. The Court finds the following
facts to be more probable than not under the preponderance standard.
76. The University of Nebraska contracts with the Health and Medical
Services division of Union Pacific Railroad to provide case-specific consultation
services for its medical review process. . at 541:23-542:9. Dr. Streubel is a physician
at the University of Nebraska whose duties to the University as faculty staff include
the occasional consultation for Union Pacific. . at 543:7-9.
77. Dr. Streubel could not remember whether he had provided a written

report and no report could be located.
78. When asked by Dr. Holland to diagnose Plaintiff’s condition, Dr.
Streubel recalls that he told Dr. Holland that Plaintiff had an anterior shoulder
dislocation but could not conclude one way or the other whether Plaintiff had suffered
a Bankart lesion because he did not have enough information to confirm or rule it
out. . at 551:9-11.

79. When asked by Dr. Holland whether he agreed that Plaintiff has an
ongoing risk of greater than 1 percent per year occurrence rate of future dislocation,
Dr. Streubel recalled that he told Dr. Holland that Plaintiff had between a 10 and 30
percent chance of redislocation. The Court finds that testimony not credible,
considering the abundant and persuasive evidence in the record that Plaintiff’s age
was a factor that decreased the risk of redislocation and that Plaintiff had
demonstrated great physical capacity to perform tasks required for the job, both

factors of which Dr. Streubel was aware when he rendered his opinion. . at 554:11-
20.
80. When asked by Dr. Holland whether he agreed that surgical repair
would reduce the risk of redislocation to less than 1 percent per year occurrence rate,
Dr. Streubel recalls telling Dr. Holland that he agreed, it would not. . at 554:20-
555:10.
81. Dr. Streubel did not look at Plaintiff’s x-rays before he concurred with
Dr. Holland’s opinion. . at 566:6-16. Rather, Dr. Streubel looked only at the risk of
“somebody” redislocating their shoulder based on a pre-established threshold—the 1

percent threshold. .
H. Testimony of Dr. Kevin Trangle – Plaintiff’s Expert Witness

82. Dr. Kevin Trangle testified as an expert witness about fitness-for-duty
policy considerations in various occupations and industries and about his opinion of
Plaintiff’s shoulder condition. The Court finds Dr. Trangle’s testimony credible. The
following evidence about and opinions by Dr. Kevin Trangle is more probable than
not under the preponderance standard.
83. Plaintiff retained Dr. Trangle as an expert to testify at trial. Dr. Trangle
specializes in occupational and environmental medicine. . at 276:19-24. He is highly
familiar with fitness-for-duty policies across a variety of industries including
railroads.
84. Dr. Trangle explained that, in general, when determining whether an

employee is fit for duty, a decision maker should understand the nature and
components of the job and assess the particular individual in light of their
circumstances and medical facts. . at 296:2-22.
85. Under the circumstances in this case, Dr. Trangle’s assessment was that
it was not medically professional to exclude a person from returning to their
occupation on the basis of a shoulder dislocation alone without a more individualized
evaluation of the employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. . at 297:1-4.
86. Dr. Trangle reviewed Union Pacific’s 1 percent rule and could not find a
medical basis for it or determine the method by which it applies to a shoulder injury.
There was nothing to be found in medical literature or standards that are published

to suggest that the 1 percent rule was appropriate under the circumstances of this
case or explain how it was calculated for Plaintiff. In Dr. Trangle’s view, there was
no scientific or medical basis for applying the 1 percent rule to terminate Plaintiff.
. at 320:1-25; 333:4-19.
87. Union Pacific highlighted Dr. Trangle’s disclosed literature that showed
that the prevalence of shoulder dislocation in the general population is 2% to

8%. . at 336:9-21.
88. Dr. Trangle testified that Dr. Holland’s 1 percent criteria was not
uniform across the industry and that Dr. Holland was an outlier in his approach. .
at 294:7-14.
89. As to whether Dr. Streubel conducted a more individualized review of
Plaintiff’s ability to perform his job, Dr. Trangle pointed out that Dr. Streubel did not
contact any of Plaintiff’s treating doctors or therapists and he did not obtain

Plaintiff’s full medical record. No report from Dr. Streubel was available for
examination at trial. . at 355:4-12.
90. From that, Dr. Trangle gathered that Dr. Streubel did not have a
complete picture of Plaintiff’s shoulder injury or the status of Plaintiff’s
rehabilitation. Trial Tr. at 320. Union Pacific did not do any particular analysis of
Plaintiff as a person. It did not have him physically examined. It did not seek to
discover how successful his rehabilitation had been. If it had concerns, Dr. Holland
could have requested Plaintiff to provide evidence of an MRI to confirm whether
Plaintiff had a Bankart lesion. It could have brought him to the train yard for a

physical function test. It could have contacted any of his treating doctors. Union
Pacific could have done those things before dismissing Plaintiff, but it did not. . at
322:6-24.
91. Dr. Trangle agreed that Union Pacific has a duty to make sure it is safe
for an employee to come back to work—safe for the employee and coworkers. But Dr.
Trangle’s opinion was that Union Pacific should have taken a harder look at Plaintiff

as an individual, rather than strictly apply the 1 percent policy to dismiss him. . at
323:1-5.
92. According to the literature, a simple anterior shoulder dislocation in a
man of Plaintiff’s age, who has no other medical complications, has a lower risk of
recurrent dislocation than a younger person, and in many cases, has less risk than
the general population for a recurrent dislocation in the future. . at 299:1-6.
93. In Dr. Trangle’s opinion, that was especially true considering the

rehabilitation and physical therapy Plaintiff undertook. . at 300:11-19.
94. The age of the person is a major factor in determining whether a person
is at risk for re-dislocation. In Plaintiff’s case, his age was a positive factor because
the older a person is, the less risk there is of having a recurrent dislocation. . at
298:16-23.
95. Dr. Trangle agreed with Dr. Heaton, Plaintiff’s treating physician, that
there was likely to be no pathological indication of injury, beyond stretching, to
Plaintiff’s rotator cuff. . at 314:10-315:3; 330:3-19. From Dr. Trangle’s

conversations with him, Dr. Heaton believed there was no clinical justification to
perform an MRI on Plaintiff’s shoulder. . at 330:20-331:3.
96. Based on Dr. Trangle’s testimony, it was not a best practice for Union
Pacific to use a uniform, blanket policy to screen out from working as a trainman all
employees who had ever had an anterior shoulder dislocation. . at 301:23-302:2.
97. The more reliable fitness-for-duty practice would be for Union Pacific to

consider the medical facts about shoulder dislocations, the amount of rehabilitation
Plaintiff had completed, and Plaintiff’s physical success with the rehab. . at 302:5-
14. Additionally, Union Pacific could have performed a functional capacity
evaluation, upon which it would have seen that Plaintiff was very fit and able to
perform the physical duties of his job. . at 302:21-25.
98. Dr. Trangle called Dr. Heaton, Plaintiff’s treating physician, and
discussed with Dr. Heaton Plaintiff’s medical file and physical therapy notes. Dr.

Trangle inquired about Plaintiff’s response to therapy, tightness in the shoulder, and
Plaintiff’s range of motion. . at 316:23-317:7. Dr. Trangle agreed with Dr. Heaton’s
opinion that Plaintiff was not at any greater or significant risk of dislocation than the
general public in his age group. . at 311:9-13.
99. Reviewing demonstrative photographs at trial of people engaging in the
physical movements one might expect of a trainman working on locomotion, Dr.
Trangle opined that Plaintiff would have no trouble performing the physical functions
required to do those jobs, and to do them without risk of shoulder dislocation. . at
311:15-313:25. Functions included hanging on the side of a train car. . at 312:16-

25.
100. It was Dr. Trangle’s opinion that before terminating Plaintiff from his
job, Dr. Holland should also have called Dr. Heaton as part of the evaluative process.
. at 317:2-8. Dr. Holland would not have had to take Dr. Heaton’s advice, but a good
practice as the medical director for Union Pacific should include talking to treating
physician to obtain their perspective. . at 317:10-22.

I. Noneconomic Damages

101. While awaiting his appeal determination, Plaintiff’s route to his
construction job took him over the railroad tracks. Crossing them twice daily, he
missed his job and could not understand why he was not allowed to work there. . at
84:10-22. Other times, Plaintiff could tell by the cadence of the train horn blowing
who the engineer was. He always stopped to listen. When Plaintiff worked as a mail
carrier, he delivered mail to the Union Pacific building. Plaintiff described that
walking into the building after his termination felt like a kick in the nuts every day.
To Plaintiff it was humiliating. . at 85:14-22.
102. Since losing his job, Plaintiff has not had the income necessary to pay
for the costs to sustain his ranch. For example, he was not able to pay for replanting
his fields. . at 62:1-10. Plaintiff was not able to build a pole barn to store hay,
complete the chicken coop, and pay to relocate a water pump. . at 62:10-63:11. This
caused Plaintiff much distress.
103. Plaintiff lost sleep from worry because his termination left him in a

different position financially. He and his wife have had to redo their budget multiple
times. Plaintiff cashed out his 401k to keep the ranch afloat. To his wife, he appeared
transformed to appear downcast with his head hung and was frustrated, upset,
sleepless, and withdrawn. . at 228:10-229:6; 237:19-25. The Court finds Jennifer
Granas’ testimony about Plaintiff’s emotional and psychological affect to be credible.
J. Economic Damages

104. Forensic economist James Mills testified about Plaintiff’s past, present
and future economic loss, including past and future lost wages and fringe benefits,
calculated at present cash value, and based on Plaintiff’s income and tax records,
records from the Railroad Retirement Board, and documents produced by Union
Pacific Railroad Company in discovery. The Court finds Mr. Mills’ testimony to be
more probable than not under the preponderance standard.

105. Mr. Mills explained that according to the Railroad Retirement Board,
Plaintiff would not be eligible for an unreduced pension until he had reached age 67
in the year 2031. . at 262:1-11. Retirement before then would have led to a reduced
pension. . at 272:22-25. Therefore, Mr. Mills calculated future earnings through the
year 2031, the year Plaintiff would reach the age of 67.
106. Because Mr. Mills did not review deposition testimony or other records
beyond financial records, he was not made aware that Plaintiff had told Union Pacific
back in 2019 that he planned on working four and a half more years, not twelve more
years. . at 271:6-11.
107. Mr. Mills stated that, as far as he was aware, he based his analysis on

a person like Plaintiff who had been working since high school graduation without
stopping and who, up until trial, was continuing to do so at the age of 61. . at 274:3-
12.
108. Plaintiff explained that it had been his intention not to retire until after
he turned 67. . at 668:1-3. He recalled the conversation with Union Pacific in 2019
when Plaintiff conveyed that he would not reach his 20-year-mark with Union Pacific

until he was 60, and that was four and a half years away. . at 668:12-21
109. It is more probable than not, given the evidence of need for income for
the ranch and Plaintiff’s overall health, strength, and energy, that Plaintiff would
have retired at the age of 67 when his pension would fully vest. In Mr. Mills view,
when it comes to standards set by data, there are people who work less and people
who work longer than what is standard. For Plaintiff, Mr. Mills measured a person
of 55 years who had fifteen years of service before he was injured and found that the

average plus the standard deviation would entail 14 more years of service. Mr. Mills’
individualized analysis landed him at the 12-year mark where Plaintiff would likely
retire once he was eligible for 100 percent of his pension. . at 274:1-19.
110. Based on best available data, Mr. Mills calculated the present cash value
of Plaintiff’s economic loss using generally accepted statistical techniques and
econometric methods of analysis. Mr. Mills’ calculations of the present value of
Plaintiff’s economic damages encompassed the period from 2019 to the end of
Plaintiff’s work life-expectancy in 2031 and he reduced that figure to present value
using U.S. Treasury yields for each respective year in the future.

111. After subtracting Plaintiff’s mitigating income earned and projected to
earn at other jobs, Mr. Mills calculated Plaintiff’s total economic net loss for past,
present, and future earnings to be $952,863. . at 265:15-16.
112. Of that $952,863, Mr. Mills explained that a portion was for past loss to
present, and the other portion was for future loss to 2031. Specifically, of the total
amount, Mr. Mills calculated Plaintiff’s past loss or back pay to be $443,014.00. . at

265:17-266:1.
113. Plaintiff’s future loss or front pay was calculated to be $509,849,
together making up the total $952,863. . at 266:4-10.
K. Punitive Damages

114. Union Pacific is a large company with a stock valuation of roughly $131
billion. It is listed on the Dow Jones Industrial and the S&P 500 stock market indices.
. at 662:6-7. In 2024, Union Pacific had revenue of $24.3 billion and net income of
$6.7 billion. . at 662:9-11. That is $18.5 million dollars a day in profit. . at 663:11.
115. Defendant is a sophisticated company that is aware of unlawful
employment practices under the ADA. . at 524:5-20; Trial Exs. 34, 52.
LEGAL CONCLUSIONS
A. Disability Discrimination under State and Federal Law
1. Disability discrimination claims under ORS. § 659A.112 are functionally
equivalent to ADA claims, and both claims may be assessed together. Snead v. Metro.
Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 237 F.3d 1080, 1087 (9th Cir. 2001).

2. To state a claim for disability discrimination, a plaintiff must allege that
they are (1) disabled within the meaning of the statute; (2) a qualified individual able
to perform the essential functions of the job; and that they (3) suffered an adverse
employment action because of their disability. Rood v. Umatilla Cnty., 526 F. Supp.
2d 1164, 1174 (D. Or. 2007) (citations omitted).
3. Plaintiff established by a preponderance of the evidence that he is

disabled under state and federal law.
4. Plaintiff established by a preponderance of the evidence that he was a
qualified individual able to perform the essential functions of the job as a trainman
at Union Pacific.
5. Plaintiff established by a preponderance of the evidence that he suffered
an adverse employment action because of his disability when Union Pacific placed
him under permanent restrictions and refused to allow him to return to his job.

B. Overview of Damages Under the ADA

6. The ADA expressly incorporates the remedies available under Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ., 403 F.3d 1061,
1067 (9th Cir. 2005). Compensatory and punitive damages are available in claims
under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e , and the ADA, 42 U.S.C. § 12101
Compensatory damages “do not include backpay, interest on backpay, or any other
type of relief authorized under section 706(g) of the Civil Rights Act.” 42 U.S.C. §
1981a(b)(2). Compensatory damages may include “future pecuniary losses, emotional
pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and other

nonpecuniary losses.” .
7. The amount of punitive damages and compensatory damages awarded
under § 1981a may not exceed the statutory cap set forth in § 1981a(b)(3).
8. The statutory cap is based on the number of people employed by the
defendant. In this case, the cap is $300,000 because Defendant has more than 500
employees.

C. Back Pay and Front Pay Under the ADA

9. Congress provided that the compensatory and punitive damages remedy
it created were “in addition to any relief” authorized under prior law.
., 511 U.S. 244, 253 (1994).
10. The Ninth Circuit has held that, under prior law, back pay is an
equitable remedy, and the court, not a jury, has ultimate discretion regarding the
amount of the award. , 403 F.3d 1061, 1069 (9th
Cir. 2005). Accordingly, back pay is not subject to the damages cap in § 1981a(b)(3).
11. Similarly, front pay is a remedy previously authorized under the Civil
Rights Act. Congress did not limit the availability of such awards in § 1981a(b)(3).
Instead, Congress sought to expand the available remedies by permitting the
recovery of compensatory and punitive damages in addition to previously available
remedies, such as front pay. ., 532 U.S. 843,
854 (2001).
12. Despite the term “future pecuniary losses” in the statute, the Supreme

Court has held that front pay is not an element of compensatory damages within the
meaning of § 1981a(b)(3). at 848. The Court explained front pay is a remedy
authorized under prior law, and the statutory cap in § 1981a(b)(3) is therefore
inapplicable to front pay.
13. To summarize, the statutory cap under § 1981a(b)(3) applies to punitive
damages and compensatory damages, such as emotional harm and other pecuniary

losses, but not back pay or front pay, as awarded by the jury in this case.
14. Noted at the beginning of this opinion, the jury’s back pay award is
advisory in this case under Fed. R. Civ. P. 39(c)(1). The jury’s front pay award is not
advisory.
15. The evidence established that Plaintiff is entitled to $952,863 of
combined back and front pay. . at 265:15-16. That total includes $443,014 in back
pay and $509,849 in front pay.

16. It is abundantly clear that the jury mistakenly switched those figures
when it awarded $509,849 in back pay and $443,014 in front pay. JVF (question
7).
17. Back pay remains an equitable remedy to be awarded by the district
court in its discretion. 422 U.S. 405, 415-16 (1975).
The Court finds the jury’s award on the whole—$952,863—is supported by a
preponderance of the evidence in the record, and satisfies the ADA’s equitable
purpose of back pay, which is to make the plaintiff whole. , 486 U.S.
549, 558 (1988) (An award of back pay is appropriate to advance “Congress’ intent to

make ‘persons whole for injuries suffered through past discrimination.’”). To depart
from the jury’s intent, evinced by its implicit findings, would be to impermissibly
disregard those findings. , 835 F.3d 936, 944 (9th Cir. 2016).
18. Therefore, the Court’s equitable analysis is conducted in conjunction
with its finding that the jury's award was supported by sufficient evidence. Based
upon the jury's verdict in Plaintiff’s favor and the supporting evidence presented at

trial, the Court finds no reason to depart from the jury's award of $509,849 in back
pay, the amount necessary to make Plaintiff whole.
D. Punitive Damages under the ADA

19. To recover punitive damages under the ADA, a plaintiff must show that
the defendant “engaged in a discriminatory practice or discriminatory practices with
malice or with reckless indifference to [her] federally protected rights.” 42 U.S.C. §
1981(b)(1); , 527 U.S. 526, 534 (1999). To meet this
standard, “an employer must at least discriminate in the face of a perceived risk that
its actions will violate federal law.” , 527 U.S. at 536.
20. Although egregious conduct may be evidence of intent to break the law,
such conduct is not required to establish punitive damages.
., 212 F.3d 493, 515 (9th. Cir. 2000). “[I]n general,
intentional discrimination is enough to establish punitive damages liability.” .
21. The unanimous jury determined by the preponderance of the evidence
that Union Pacific intentionally discriminated against Plaintiff based on a disability
and that it did so with clear knowledge that its conduct would likely violate the ADA.

22. Like the jury in this case, the Court also concludes that evidence at trial
demonstrates, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Union Pacific discriminated
against Plaintiff when it terminated him from employment based on his disability,
namely, his anterior shoulder dislocation.
23. The unanimous jury also determined, by the preponderance of the
evidence, that Union Pacific’s 1 percent policy was an unlawful screening policy that

tends to screen out individuals with disabilities, including Plaintiff’s disability.
24. So too, by a preponderance of the evidence, the Court determines that
Union Pacific’s 1 percent policy was unlawful and that it screens out or tends to screen
out individuals with disabilities, such as Plaintiff, and that Union Pacific excluded
Plaintiff’ from returning to his job because of his anterior shoulder dislocation,
regardless of Plaintiff’s individual condition. Trial Tr. 501:12-502:11.
25. Evidence at trial established that Union Pacific’s “1 percent rule” listed

injuries it had predetermined to have a 1 percent chance or greater of sudden
incapacitation, and if an employee sustained such an injury, Union Pacific restricted
the employee from returning to their job. Trial Tr. 479:15-21; 501:08-502:11.
26. Plaintiff’s shoulder injury was one of the “1 percent rule” injuries which
would result in imposition of permanent restrictions.
27. Evidence at trial established that Plaintiff operated a ranch and worked
construction, frequently carrying 120-pound hay bales, climbing ladders, and holding
100-pound sacks. It was more likely than not that Union Pacific had read Plaintiff’s

personal medical records and statements from Plaintiff’s physicians that he was
physically fit and strong post-injury, and could perform all the functions required for
his job, yet refused to allow Plaintiff to return to work based on its 1 percent policy.
Trial Tr. 321:16-322:24; 525:25-526:21.
28. Evidence at trial established that Union Pacific did not evaluate
Plaintiff individually, even though it could have. Trial Tr. 512:5-18.

29. Union Pacific categorized Plaintiff’s shoulder injury as a disability on its
official forms and trial exhibits showed that Union Pacific was a sophisticated
company, aware of unlawful employment practices under the ADA. Trial Tr. 524:5-
20; Trial Exs. 34, 52.
30. There was abundant evidence at trial from which the Court now
concludes that it is more likely than not that Union Pacific was aware of anti-
discrimination principles and that its policy was facially discriminatory; that Union

Pacific directed the policy at employees with a certain medical diagnosis; and that
Union Pacific used the policy to restrict those employees from work or returning to
work.
31. Courts have routinely held that “punitive damages are appropriate
under where the plaintiff demonstrated that the defendants were aware of
anti-discrimination principles.” .¸ 285 F.3d 1174, 1198-99
(9th Cir. 2002). In general, intentional discrimination is enough to establish punitive
damages liability, even in the absence of egregious conduct. , 212 F.3d at
515.

32. There is substantial evidence in the record to support a finding that
Union Pacific had sufficient malice, or a reckless and outrageous indifference to a
highly unreasonable risk of harm and has acted with a conscious indifference to the
health, safety and welfare of others supporting an award of punitive damages.
33. Evidence at trial established that Union Pacific earned $18.5 million
each day in profit.

34. The Court determines that an attentive jury, carefully instructed on the
law, found that Plaintiff should be awarded more than one-day’s profit for Union
Pacific, in order for the award to serve the broader functions of “deterrence and
retribution.” , 538 U.S. 408, 416 (2003)
35. Accordingly, the Court adopts the jury’s advisory verdict on punitive
damages of $25 million dollars.

E. Damages Under Oregon Law

36. Claims brought under the Oregon law are “construed to the extent
possible in a manner that is consistent with . . . similar provisions of the [ADA].” ORS
659A.139.
37. Under Oregon law, ORS § 659A.885(3) allows courts to award both
compensatory and punitive damages for claims brought under a list of enumerated
statues, including ORS § 659A.112, Oregon’s disability discrimination law.1

38. Oregon law permits a court to award any amount in punitive damages.
ORS § 659A.885(3)(a).
39. The Court views evidence at trial, and the reasonable inferences to be
drawn therefrom, in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, the party in whose favor the
jury returned the verdict. 328 Or.
487, 490 (1999).

40. Punitive damages are appropriate where the defendant acted with
malice or “a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of
harm and . . . with a conscious indifference to the health, safety and welfare of others.”
ORS § 31.730(1). “Malice, in the context of punitive damages in civil cases, is ‘the
intentional doing of [an] injurious act without justification or excuse.’”
147 Or. App. 135, 140 (1997) (quoting
, 300 Or. 522, 535 (1986).

41. Oregon law recognizes that punitive damages may be awarded to deter
a large organization or enterprise from future misconduct, even where the misconduct
at issue is “wholly impersonal with respect to any victim.”
., 717 F. Supp. 2d 1120, 1140-41 (D. Or. 2010) (quoting
., 303 Or. 505, 514 (1987)). But “[t]he Due Process

1 Union Pacific argues for the first time that Oregon’s punitive damages statute is
unconstitutional. The Court does not reach that argument.
Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits a State from imposing a ‘grossly
excessive’ punishment on a tortfeasor.” , 517 U.S. 559,
562 (1996).

42. An award that the Court can characterize as “grossly excessive” in
relation to the state's interests is one that is arbitrary and, therefore, violates due
process. , ., 331 Or. 537, 549 (2001) (quoting
509 U.S. 443, 456 (1993)).
43. Courts must consider three guideposts when determining whether
punitive damages are grossly excessive, including “(1) the degree of reprehensibility

of the defendant's misconduct, (2) the disparity between the actual or potential harm
suffered by the plaintiff and the punitive damages award, and (3) the difference
between the punitive damages ... and the civil penalties authorized or imposed in
comparable cases.” , 538 U.S. 408, 418 (2003).
44. As to the “degree of reprehensibility” evidence at trial showed that
Union Pacific was reckless and outrageous in its indifference when it ignored
Plaintiff’s medical documentation, his own representation about his individual

abilities and physical capacity to perform the duties of his job, and his treater’s
recommendations. Testimony at trial established that Union Pacific would refuse to
allow Plaintiff to return to work, no matter what, based on its policy excluding anyone
from safety-sensitive jobs who had sustained a shoulder dislocation.
45. As for the disparity between the actual harm and the award is not great,
considering Plaintiff lost out on a livelihood he enjoyed and one not easily replaceable
in the Klamath Falls community.

46. With respect to punitive damages in comparable cases, the Court
concludes that this case is not remarkable. Plf. Reply, ECF No. 120 at 2
(compiling cases).
47. Further, punitive damages may properly be imposed to advance a state's
“legitimate interests in punishing unlawful conduct” and “deterring its repetition.”
, 158 Or. App. 292, 318

241 (1999);2 (citing , 517 U.S. 559, 568 (1996).
48. The state of Oregon has a legitimate interest in punishing
discriminatory conduct and deterring its repetition in this case. The Court cannot
characterize the jury’s advisory award of $25 million as “grossly excessive,” given
Union Pacific’s daily profit and the state’s interest in deterring discrimination. A
lesser award would not have the effect clearly intended by the jury to discourage
further conduct by Union Pacific. The amount is not arbitrary, but clearly and

convincingly supported by evidence at trial, and does not violate due process.
49. Union Pacific presented no evidence at trial or in its supplemental
briefing that it has any intention of amending its 1 percent policy. Testimony of Dr.
Holland that Union Pacific was looking out for Plaintiff’s safety by refusing to allow

2 Opinion adhered to as modified on reconsideration sub nom. Axen v. Am. Home
Prods. Corp., 160 Or. App. 19 (1999).
him to return to work was not credible. Plaintiff’s evidence that Union Pacific’s
intention was to enforce its policy, rather than make an individualized safety
determination about him, was more probable than not. Union Pacific’s imposition of

permanent restrictions on Plaintiff constitutes an intentional doing of an injurious
act without justification, sufficient to support an award for punitive damages.
F. Total Allocation of Damages

50. As the Court stated above, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(3)(D) limits
compensatory and punitive damages to $300,000, combined. The jury awarded
$1,000,000 in compensatory damages and $25,000,000 in punitive damages. The total
clearly exceeds the $300,000 cap.
51. But, as the verdict form indicates, the jury found for Plaintiff on
federal and state law discrimination claims and awarded damages without specifying
the allocation between the claims. The most reasonable assumption is that the jury
awarded the same damages on both the federal and state claims. , 212
F.3d at 509. Awarding $26 million on both the federal claims and $26 million on the

state claim would be duplicative, however. .
52. In the absence of a statutory mandate to allocate damages to one claim
rather than another, the Court has authority to allocate the damages to either claim.
(citing 178 F.3d 1336, 1349-50
(D.C. Cir. 1999) (treating damage award as interchangeable under local and federal
law where standards of liability are identical).
53. In the context of Title VII, The Ninth Circuit has held that compensatory
damages allocated by the court to claims other than the federal claims should not be
subject to the federal cap. 192 F.3d 902, 910-

11 (9th Cir.1999). The Court finds that holding applicable here. To diminish the jury’s
non-advisory compensatory award of $1,000,000 so substantially would partially
nullify the jury's state law determination, by effectively subjecting the entire
compensatory award to the federal cap. The Court declines to incur that result.
54. Accordingly, the Court allocates damages as follows:
a. $300,000 of the jury’s advisory punitive damages award is

allocated to Plaintiff’s federal claims under the ADA, the
maximum allowed under § 1981a(b)(3).
b. The remaining $24,700,000 of the jury’s advisory punitive
damages award is allocated to Plaintiff’s claim under Oregon law.
c. $952,863 in economic damages, including front and back pay, is
allocated to Plaintiff’s federal discrimination claims and is not
subject to the statutory cap under § 1981a(b)(3).

d. $1,000,000 of the jury’s compensatory damages award is allocated
to Plaintiff’s state law claim.
e. Plaintiff’s total award is $26,952,863
CONCLUSION
In light of the foregoing evidence and the jury’s advisory verdict on back pay
and punitive damages, the Court finds that Plaintiff shall be awarded $509,849 in
back pay and $25,000,000 in punitive damages, allocated in conformity with this
opinion. Judgment shall be entered accordingly.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated this 18th day of August, 2025.

________/s_/_A_n_n__ A__ik_e_n________
Ann Aiken
United States Senior District Judge

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/11122644. Public record. Not legal advice.