REDA, Wrongful discharge, disability, discrimination and Constitutional violations brought by former employee, summary judgment obtained

Former employee brought claims for retaliation under REDA, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, violation of the North Carolina Persons with Disabilities Protection Act, and violation of the due process and equal protection clauses of the North Carolina Constitution. Plaintiff sought compensatory and punitive damages, including back wages. Plaintiff alleged that she had been terminated in retaliation for filing a worker’s compensation claim following an on the job injury, and was denied accommodations requested as a result of her limitations following her injury. On a motion to dismiss, all claims were dismissed except for the REDA and wrongful discharge claims. Following discovery, Defendants moved for summary judgment on the grounds that the plaintiff could not establish a causal connection between her filing of a worker’s compensation claim and her discharge, that Defendants had legitimate grounds to terminate Plaintiff’s employment, and that Plaintiff was barred from asserting that she could perform the essential functions of her job given her prior testimony in her worker’s compensation case, where she asserted she was unable to work. Following oral argument, the Court granted summary judgment for Defendant as to all remaining claims.