Class Actions -- 2020



Harris v. Union Pacific   (8th Circuit)

Americans with Disabilities Act class action certifications

The NAM filed an amicus brief supporting Union Pacific in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit in its challenge to overbroad class actions that do not include the required rigorous analysis before a court certifies a class. Union Pacific appealed a lower court order certifying a class of more than 7,000 current and former employees bringing claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The plaintiffs challenged methods of ensuring that workers in safety-critical jobs are fit for duty and do not have a medical condition that could suddenly incapacitate them while operating a train or performing jobs that implicate public safety. This case is significant for manufacturers because resolving ADA claims, and the employer’s defenses, requires individualized assessments before liability under the ADA can be determined. The NAM’s brief argued that the lower court’s approach to class certification would eviscerate class action protections and is not permitted in ADA cases. On March 24, 2020, the court reversed the district court's certification order and held that individualized inquiries in the case could not be addressed in a manner consistent with Rule 23.


Related Documents:
NAM brief  (April 29, 2019)