Discrimination lawsuit: Event causes 'series of panic attacks', unrepentant employer accused of not understanding mental health issues
A court recently awarded $450,000 to an employee who sued his company after it threw a surprise birthday party that he clearly didn’t want.
Kevin Berling, who suffers from anxiety disorders, filed the lawsuit in Kentucky’s Kenton County. The employer, Gravity Diagnostics, threw an “unwanted birthday party” in August 2019 at its workplace. According to the celebrant, the event “caused him a series of panic attacks.” The company denied that it committed any wrongdoing, but the employee alleged that the company discriminated against him based on a disability.
According to a BBC News report, the employee had asked his manager not to celebrate his birthday at work as it normally does for its employees, “as it could potentially result in a panic attack.” He also said that such an event would bring back “uncomfortable childhood memories.”
Despite the employee’s wishes, the employer still threw a surprise party that triggered a panic attack. “He quickly left the party and finished his lunch in his car,” BBC News reported.
The following day, the employee was called to a meeting where he was “confronted and criticized.” According to him, the company accused him of “stealing his co-workers’ joy” and “being a little girl.” The “tense meeting” triggered a second panic attack.
“At this point, he starts employing other coping techniques that he’s worked...
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