Melvin Morriss, III v. BNSF Railway Company Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: An employer refused to hire an obese applicant due to a policy against high BMI in safety-sensitive roles. The court held this was not disability discrimination because obesity, without an underlying physiological cause, is not a ‘disability’ under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Legal Significance: Clarifies that under the ADA, obesity is a non-protected physical characteristic unless it results from an underlying physiological disorder. An employer’s concern about future health risks associated with obesity does not constitute ‘regarded as’ discrimination for a presently existing impairment.
Melvin Morriss, III v. BNSF Railway Company Law School Study Guide
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Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Melvin Morriss received a conditional offer for a safety-sensitive machinist position with BNSF Railway Company. The offer was contingent on a medical review. On his medical questionnaire, Morriss reported he was 5’10”, weighed 270 pounds, had ‘good’ health, and experienced no physical limitations. Subsequent physical exams conducted by BNSF measured his Body Mass Index (BMI) at over 40. BNSF had an internal policy not to hire applicants with a BMI of 40 or greater for safety-sensitive positions due to associated health and safety risks. Citing this policy, BNSF revoked Morriss’s employment offer. Morriss sued, alleging disability discrimination under the ADA. He conceded that he was not aware of any underlying physiological disorder causing his obesity and that his weight caused no physical limitations. His personal physician confirmed this. It was undisputed that BNSF’s decision was based on its belief that Morriss’s high BMI created a risk of developing future health problems, not on any then-current medical condition.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does an employer violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to hire an individual due to their obesity when the obesity is not caused by an underlying physiological disorder and the decision is based on a perceived risk of future health problems?
No. The court affirmed summary judgment for BNSF, holding that Morriss failed Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proid
IRAC Legal Analysis
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IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the structure professors expect in exam answers. Each LSD.Law brief states the issue, the governing rule with citations, the court's application of that rule, and the conclusion - the same reasoning pattern you will use on exams and in practice.
Legal Issue
Does an employer violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by refusing to hire an individual due to their obesity when the obesity is not caused by an underlying physiological disorder and the decision is based on a perceived risk of future health problems?
Conclusion
This decision establishes in the Eighth Circuit that obesity itself is not Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
Legal Rule
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), obesity qualifies as a 'physical Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugi
Legal Analysis
The Eighth Circuit's analysis centered on the definition of 'physical impairment' under Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- Holding: Obesity is not a “physical impairment” under the ADA unless