The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 13 considered the case of a retired Florida firefighter with Parkinson’s disease who sued her former employer for discrimination over post-employment benefits.
Karyn Stanley had to accept disability retirement at the age of 47 after her Parkinson’s disease became so severe that she was unable to continue working as a firefighter for the city of Sanford, Florida.
Parkinson’s is a chronic, progressive disorder that affects the nervous system. Patients can experience tremors, walking and balance issues, difficulty speaking, and other symptoms.
Stanley, whose lawsuit against the city was put on hold by the lower courts, claimed that Sanford discriminates against disabled retirees by limiting when they become eligible for a health insurance subsidy….