Coleman v. Maryland Court of Appeals, 09-1582

African-American plaintiff's suit against former employer for violations of Title VII and FMLA

Coleman v. Maryland Court of Appeals, 09-1582, concerned an African-American plaintiff's suit against Maryland Court of Appeals and individual defendants for violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the FLMA, claiming that he was fired for requesting sick leave because he is black.

In affirming the district court's dismissal for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, the court held that the district court correctly concluded that the complaint failed to state a Title VII race discrimination claim, and that the district court correctly ruled that plaintiff failed to state a Title VII retaliation claim as no facts in the complaint identify any protected activity by plaintiff that prompted the retaliation of which he complains.  Lastly, the court held that the district court properly dismissed plaintiff's FMLA claim as barred by the Eleventh Amendment.

Related Link:

• Read the Fourth Circuit's Full Decision in Coleman v. Maryland Court of Appeals, 09-1582