Case: EEOC v. Northwest Airlines

0:01-cv-00705 | U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

Filed Date: April 25, 2001

Closed Date: Jan. 13, 2007

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

The Milwaukee and Minneapolis offices of the EEOC brought this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in April 2001. According to the consent decree, the defendant purportedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by applying an Absolute Zero or Zero Tolerance policy and not hiring individuals with insulin dependent diabetes or epilepsy requiring anti-seizure medication into certain positions.The defendant moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which…
The Milwaukee and Minneapolis offices of the EEOC brought this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in April 2001. According to the consent decree, the defendant purportedly violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by applying an Absolute Zero or Zero Tolerance policy and not hiring individuals with insulin dependent diabetes or epilepsy requiring anti-seizure medication into certain positions.The defendant moved to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted, or alternatively, for summary judgment; both motions were denied. See Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., 216 F. Supp. 2d 935 (D. Minn. 2002). The parties voluntarily dismissed the case in January 2005 after consenting to an agreed order that required the defendant to end its zero tolerance policy and give individualized attention to medically restricted applicants. It also required the defendant to pay a total of $510,000 in compensatory damages.The decree was entered in 2005 and scheduled to last 2007. No further docket entries exist, so the case is closed.

Summary Authors

Kevin Wilemon (6/3/2008)

Clearinghouse (12/22/2018)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4296872/parties/eeoc-v-northwest-airlines/


Judge(s)

Davis, Michael James (Minnesota)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Burnside, Tina (North Carolina)

Attorney for Defendant

Bland, Timothy S (Tennessee)

Erickson, Kurt J (Minnesota)

Erskine, Amy E (Minnesota)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

0:01-cv-00705

Docket [PACER]

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

Docket

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC Files Class Suit Against Northwest Airlines for Disability Discrimination"

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

April 25, 2001

April 25, 2001

Press Release
44

0:01-cv-00705

Memorandum and Order

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Aug. 14, 2002

Aug. 14, 2002

Order/Opinion

216 F.Supp.2d 935

56

0:01-cv-00705

Order [Regarding Discovery Motions]

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Dec. 13, 2002

Dec. 13, 2002

Order/Opinion

EEOC Press Release: "EEOC and Northwest Airlines, Inc., Announce Settlement of Disability Discrimination Suit"

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

Dec. 30, 2004

Dec. 30, 2004

Press Release

EEOC Litigation Settlement Report (January 2005)

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

No Court

Jan. 12, 2005

Jan. 12, 2005

Press Release
68

0:01-cv-00705

Agreed Order

EEOC v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Jan. 13, 2005

Jan. 13, 2005

Settlement Agreement

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4296872/eeoc-v-northwest-airlines/

Last updated April 5, 2025, 10:38 a.m.

ECF Number Date Description Link
April 25, 2001

NOTICE SENT to out of state government attorney: Jean P. Kamp ( (Entered: 04/25/2001)

PACER
1 April 25, 2001

COMPLAINT - Summons issued. Assigned to Judge Michael J. Davis per 440 civil rights list and referred to Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff 8pg(s) (

RECAP
2 May 4, 2001

SUMMONS RETURN OF SERVICE executed upon defendant Northwest Airlines on 5/4/01 2pg(s) (

RECAP
3 May 21, 2001

STIPULATION AND ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) IT IS SO ORDERED pursuant to the Stipulation of the parties, deft Northwest Airlines, Inc.'s time period for responding to the Summons and Complaint is extended up to and including June 5, 2001. Nothing in this Order shall be construed so as to waive any all defenses, privileges, or rights that Deft may have in responding to the Summons and Complaint. 2pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (

RECAP
4 June 1, 2001

AMENDED COMPLAINT [1-1] by pltf; jury demand. (8pg(s) (DDB)

RECAP
5 June 14, 2001

STIPULATION AND ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) that dft NWA's time for responding to amd cmplt is extended up to and including 6/21/01. 2pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (PAK)

RECAP
6 June 21, 2001

ANSWER by defendant to the amended complaint 5pg(s) (

RECAP
7 June 21, 2001

LETTER RE: SVC OF DISPOSITIVE MOTION PAPERS by defendant to change venue SVC LTR (to Judge Michael J. Davis) 2pg(s) (

RECAP
12 June 21, 2001

AMENDED MOTION by defendant to change venue (to Judge Michael J. Davis) 4pg(s) (

RECAP
8 July 24, 2001

PETITION AND ORDER for admission pro hac vice ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten ) on behalf of defendant by Timothy S. Bland. 1pg(s) (

RECAP
9 July 24, 2001

PETITION AND ORDER for admission pro hac vice ( Clerk Richard D. Sletten ) on behalf of defendant by Herbert E. Gerson 1pg(s) (

RECAP
10 July 25, 2001

STIPULATION AND ORDER (Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff) FOR SERVICE AND FILING OF DFT NORTHWEST AIRLINES INC.'S FIRST AMENDED ANSWER TO PLTF EEOC'S FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT. 3pg(s)(cc: all counsel) (

RECAP
11 July 25, 2001

"COPY" FIRST AMENDED ANSWER by defendant to amended complaint. 5pg(s) (

RECAP
13 July 27, 2001

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to change venue [12-1] 18pg(s) (

RECAP
14 July 27, 2001

AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re motion to change venue [12-1] 3+pg(s) SEPARATE (

RECAP
15 July 27, 2001

AFFIDAVIT of Charles W. Kimbell, Jr. re motion to change venue [12-1] 2pg(s) (

RECAP
16 July 27, 2001

AMENDED MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion to change venue [12-1] 18pg(s) (

RECAP
17 July 27, 2001

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in opposition to motion to transfer venue [12-1] 61pg(s) (

RECAP
18 July 27, 2001

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to change venue [12-1] 12+pg(s) SEPARATE (

RECAP
19 July 27, 2001

"Copy" SECOND AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re motion to change venue [12-1] 5pg(s) (

RECAP
20 July 27, 2001

DEFT'S REPLY TO EEOC'S MEMORANDUM IN OPPOSITION TO DEFT'S MOTION TO TRANSFER VENUE [12-1] 12pg(s) (

RECAP
21 July 27, 2001

LETTER to Judge Michael J. Davis from pltf's counsel re: motion to change venue 2pg(s) (

RECAP
22 July 31, 2001

COPY OF THE SECOND AFFIDAVIT of Charles W. Kimbell, Jr. in support of deft's motion to change venue [12-1]. (3pg(s) (DDB)

RECAP
23 Aug. 30, 2001

NOTICE by defendant setting hearing for motion to change venue (to Judge Michael J. Davis) [12-1] at 9:00 a.m. on 10/12/01 3pg(s) (

RECAP
24 Aug. 30, 2001

AFFIDAVIT of Timothy S. Bland re in support of dft's motion to change venue [12-1] 6pg(s) (

RECAP
25 Oct. 12, 2001

MINUTES:(Judge Michael J. Davis / C/R Brenda Anderson) Taking under advisement on the motion to change venue [12-1] 1pg(s) (

RECAP
26 Oct. 30, 2001

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ( Judge Michael J. Davis ) that dft Northwest Airlines, Inc.'s motion to transfer venue is denied [12-1] 4pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (SJH)

RECAP
27 Dec. 17, 2001

ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTION: terminating attorney Timothy S Bland and Herbert E Gerson for Northwest Airlines and substituting attorney Timothy Robert Thornton, Gregory James Stenmoe, and Amy E Erskine 1pg(s) ( Modified on 01/03/2002

RECAP
28 Jan. 23, 2002

NOTICE OF (1/23/02) pretrial conference set for 8:45 a.m. on 2/27/02 2pg(s) (mailed by chambers) (

RECAP
29 Feb. 25, 2002

JOINT REPORT OF RULE 26(f) MEETING 6pg(s) (

RECAP
30 Feb. 27, 2002

MINUTES:( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff / ) re: PRETRIAL CONFERENCE 1pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
31 Feb. 28, 2002

TRANSCRIPT OF motion held 10/12/01 by Judge Michael J. Davis (CR Brenda E. Anderson) (SEPARATE) (

RECAP
32 March 11, 2002

SCHEDULING ORDER ( Magistrate Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff 3/11/02) 2pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (

RECAP
33 March 18, 2002

LETTER RE: SVC OF DISPOSITIVE MOTION PAPERS by defendant to dismiss (to Judge Michael J. Davis ), and/or for summary judgment SVC LTR 1pg(s) (

RECAP
34 March 18, 2002

MOTION by dft to dismiss and/or for summary judgment ( to Judge Michael J. Davis ) 1pg(s) (PAK) Modified on 05/20/2002

RECAP
35 May 14, 2002

MEMORANDUM by dft in support of motion to dismiss [34-1] and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 28pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
36 May 14, 2002

REPLY MEMORANDUM by dft to motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 9pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
37 May 14, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe regarding motion to dismiss [34-1]and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 2+pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
38 May 14, 2002

MEMORANDUM by pltf in opposition to motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 34pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
39 May 14, 2002

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 4pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
40 May 14, 2002

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 5+pg(s) (SEPARATE) (PAK)

RECAP
41 May 14, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe regarding motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] 4+pg(s) (PAK)

RECAP
42 May 16, 2002

NOTICE by defendant setting hearing for motion to dismiss [34-1] and for summary judgment(to Judge Michael J. Davis ) [34-2] 9:00 a.m. on 7/12/02 2pg(s) (

RECAP
43 July 12, 2002

MINUTES:( Judge Michael J. Davis /CR Jeanne Anderson) Deft's motion to dismiss [34-1], and/or for summary judgment [34-2] was moved, argued and taken under advisement. 1pg(s) (

RECAP
44 Aug. 14, 2002

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: (Judge Michael J. Davis) that deft's motion to dismiss, or alternatively for sumjgm is denied [34]. 9pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (JMR)

RECAP
45 Nov. 25, 2002

MOTION by plaintiff EEOC to compel discovery ( to Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) ret 12/10/02 at 9:30 in Minneapolis, MN 2pg(s) (JMH)

RECAP
46 Nov. 25, 2002

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff EEOC in support of motion to compel discovery [45-1] 23pg(s) (JMH)

RECAP
47 Nov. 25, 2002

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek re motion to compel discovery [45-1] 4pg(s)plus exhibits (JMH)

RECAP
48 Nov. 26, 2002

Notice and MOTION by defendant for protective order ( to Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) ret. 12/10/02 at 9:30 a.m. 1pg(s) (JMR)

RECAP
49 Nov. 26, 2002

MEMORANDUM by defendant in support of motion for protective order [48-1] 6pg(s) (JMR)

RECAP
50 Nov. 26, 2002

Deft's Rule 26 certification regarding motion for protective order and affidavit with exhibits 2pgs + exhibits (JMR)

RECAP
51 Dec. 3, 2002

MEMORANDUM by plaintiff in opposition to motion for protective order [48-1] 13pg(s) + attachments (JMR)

RECAP
52 Dec. 3, 2002

DECLARATION of Laurie A. Vasichek 3pg(s) + exhibits (JMR)

RECAP
53 Dec. 3, 2002

MEMORANDUM by defendant in opposition to motion to compel discovery [45-1] 15pg(s) (JMR)

RECAP
54 Dec. 3, 2002

AFFIDAVIT of Gregory J. Stenmoe 3pg(s) + exhibits (JMR)

RECAP
55 Dec. 10, 2002

MINUTES: ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) taking under advisement on the motion to compel discovery [45-1] taking under advisement on the motion for protective order [48-1] 1pg(s) (DFL)

RECAP
56 Dec. 13, 2002

ORDER (Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff) pltf's motion to compel discovery is granted in part and denied as moot in part [45]. Deft's motion for a protective order is denied as moot [48]. (cc: all counsel) 4pgs (JMR)

RECAP
57 Feb. 14, 2003

PROTECTIVE ORDER ( Chief Mag. Judge Jonathan G. Lebedoff ) 7pg(s) (cc: all counsel) (PAK)

RECAP
58 June 28, 2004

Letter from Gregory J. Stenmoe. (Stenmoe, Gregory)

RECAP
59 June 28, 2004

STIPULATION and Scheduling Order by Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Stenmoe, Gregory)

RECAP
60 June 29, 2004

NOTICE of Appearance by Tina Burnside on behalf of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Burnside, Tina)

RECAP
61 June 29, 2004

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission re [60] Notice of Appearance by Tina Burnside (Burnside, Tina)

RECAP
June 30, 2004

Set/Reset Scheduling Order Deadlines: Amended Pleadings due by 8/2/2004. Discovery due by 11/1/2004. Motions (non-disp) due 11/1/2004. Motions (disp) due by 3/1/2005. Ready for trial due by 3/1/2005. (JMM) (Entered: 06/30/2004)

PACER
62 June 30, 2004

ORDER approving/adopting [59] Stipulation filed by Northwest Airlines, Inc. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 6/30/04. (JMM)

RECAP
63 Aug. 2, 2004

STIPULATION to Amend Answer by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Hedican, Jason)

RECAP
64 Aug. 5, 2004

ORDER granting [3] Stipulation to file Second Amended Answer. Signed by Magistrate Judge Jonathan G Lebedoff on 8/5/04. (JMM)

RECAP
65 Aug. 9, 2004

Second Amended ANSWER to Amended Complaint by Northwest Airlines, Inc..(Hedican, Jason)

RECAP
66 Aug. 9, 2004

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE by Northwest Airlines, Inc. re [65] Answer to Amended Complaint (Hedican, Jason)

RECAP
67 Dec. 30, 2004

*** DOCUEMENT FILED IN ERROR, COUNCEL WILL RE-FILE. ***STIPULATION of Dismissal (Agreed Order) by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc., Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Northwest Airlines, Inc.. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A# (2) Exhibit B# (3) Certificate of Service)(Stenmoe, Gregory) Modified on 1/3/2005 (Riemer, Rena).

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B

View on RECAP

3 Certificate of Service

View on RECAP

RECAP
68 Jan. 13, 2005

AGREED ORDER . Signed by Judge Michael J Davis on 01/12/2005. (SMS)

RECAP
69 Jan. 13, 2005

ORDER DISMISSING CASE. Signed by Judge Michael J Davis on 01/12/2005. (SMS)

RECAP
70 Jan. 13, 2005

JUDGMENT (JLB)

RECAP

Case Details

State / Territory:

Minnesota

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

EEOC Study — in sample

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 25, 2001

Closing Date: Jan. 13, 2007

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, on behalf of one or more workers.

Plaintiff Type(s):

EEOC Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

EEOC

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Northwest Airlines, Inc.

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.

Other Dockets:

District of Minnesota 0:01-cv-00705

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Injunctive (or Injunctive-like) Relief

Monetary Relief

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Granted:

Damages

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Court Approved Settlement or Consent Decree

Content of Injunction:

Provide antidiscrimination training

Recordkeeping

Reporting

Amount Defendant Pays: 510000

Order Duration: 2005 - 2007

Issues

Discrimination Area:

Accommodation / Leave

Disparate Treatment

Hiring

Discrimination Basis:

Disability (inc. reasonable accommodations)

EEOC-centric:

Direct Suit on Merits

Recommended Citation