Bruce Bentley

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Nick Catalano, a retiree in Pasco County, never saw the other vehicle arrive. The driver slammed the back of his SUV at an intersection in New Port Richey last October. "Suddenly something hit us so hard that we drove through the three lanes of oncoming traffic," said Nick's wife Mildred, who was in the passenger seat. The accident caused approximately $ 3,000 in damage. Nick, who has a disability, was unable to get his walker in and out of the tailgate of the SUV. Since last October he's been struggling to get the walker into the back seat. According to the accident report, an FHP soldier charged the other driver with negligent driving. So Nick filed a claim with the other driver insurance. Two months later, the insurer sent a letter denying the claim. In this letter, Direct General wrote: “At this point we have not yet been able to speak to our policyholder about the damage. Unfortunately, based on this information, I have to refuse to pay ...

Unilateral reassignment of a disabled employee to a position that the employee does not want when other reasonable accommodation is in place is inappropriate. A federal appeals court ruled to reinstate a former Virginia police officer’s claim for disability discrimination. Michael Steven Wirtes, a Newport News City police officer, was hired as a property crime detective when the heavy, gear-laden belt he wore in his previous unit caused nerve damage, according to Friday's 4th US Circuit ruling on a Richmond Court of Appeal , Virginia, in Michael Steven Wirtes v City of Newport News. Mr. Wirtes was initially able to carry a shoulder holster in his new position, but the department changed their rules to require the wearing of the standard service belt and he was given light duty. Towards the end of his eight-month status as a light service provider, he was offered a civilian position as a logistics manager for the police. The city declined his proposals to wear his equipmen...