Docket 62769 | Mich. Ct. App. | Aug 31, 1983
DAUTEN
v.
MUSKEGON COUNTY
Michigan Court of Appeals.
Norman C. Halbower, P.C. (by James K. Oslund), for plaintiff.
Knudsen, Wasirua & Associates, P.C. (by Harry J. Knudsen), for defendant.
Before: BEASLEY, P.J., and R.B. BURNS and T.C. MEGARGLE,[*] JJ.
PER CURIAM.
After a nonjury trial, plaintiff appeals as of right from a judgment of no cause of action on her claim for damages and injunctive relief based on an alleged violation of MCL 37.1202(1); MSA 3.550(202)(1). This provision of the Handicappers' Civil Rights Act states in part that:
"An employer shall not:
"(a) Fail or refuse to hire, recruit or promote an individual because of a handicap that is unrelated to the individual's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position."
This lawsuit arose after the defendant denied plaintiff's application for employment as a life-guard based on the recommendation of its examining physician. On appeal, plaintiff first challenges the trial court's interpretation of the statutory provision we have quoted above. In an opinion delivered from the bench, the trial judge found:
*437 "The court finds that the county made the decision after the medical opinion was given to them that the doctor would not recommend her for the position because the position does require some lifting; further, because of the potential albeit I find it hard to believe that we could be too worried, dealing with these kids in shallow water but let's not overlook the reality of things. Counties are worried about liability for death of people who are under their supervision and control. They are worried about death and injury to their employees. They are worried about a lot of things.
"The court doesn't feel that this was an unreasonable choice, given the fact of this woman's injury and the very large potential of a problem which could occur, although there is no evidence to indicate that she has had any prior back spasms. In fact, I don't even think she's ever even had a cramp."
Plaintiff claims that the phrase "the individual's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position" cannot be interpreted to include the individual's propensity toward injury while performing those duties. Defendant argues that the trial judge correctly found that the potential for injury to one's self and others was related to an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a life-guard.
After applying for a position as a lifeguard, plaintiff was given a physical examination. She disclosed that she had injured her back in two separate automobile accidents and was being treated by a chiropractor for a mild scoliosis. Defendant's examining physician, who testified at trial, recommended against hiring plaintiff because of her back problems. At trial, defendant's examining physician testified that scoliosis, lateral curvature of the spine, is a structural defect in the back. Physical stress, such as heavy lifting, could result in muscle spasms in the back. He also testified *438 that a lifeguard would be under significant stress in a life-saving situation. She would be prone to back spasms in such a situation. These spasms might render the person suffering them "ineffective", i.e., without control of her muscular movements. Spasms of this type suffered in a real life-saving situation would endanger the lives of the lifeguard and the person he or she was trying to save.
We cannot agree with plaintiff's interpretation of the Handicappers' Civil Rights Act. We need not consider the danger to plaintiff herself to sustain the decision of the trial court. Dr. Fugate, who testified both as defendant's examining physician and as an expert, stated that plaintiff's condition could result in spasms causing a loss of physical control in a life-saving situation. Even if a lifeguard never has to attempt to save a life, her ability to do so is still perhaps the most important factor to be considered in making a decision to hire. A physically determinable characteristic which may disable a lifeguard in a life-saving situation is a handicap that is related to the applicant's "ability to perform the duties of a particular job".
On appeal, plaintiff attacks the trial court's decision to rely on the "opinion of one doctor" instead of the opinions of the witnesses presented by her. We normally give great regard to the assessment of credibility of the trial judge sitting as trier of fact. See GCR 1963, 517.1. We have reviewed the entire record in this case, especially the direct and cross-examination of Dr. Fugate. We find no merit in plaintiff's claim. Dr. Fugate's testimony was both clear and convincing in the face of wide-ranging and sometimes heated cross-examination. *439 In its central points, it was essentially unrefuted. It was not clear error to rely on this testimony.
Affirmed. No costs, a public question.
NOTES
[*] Circuit judge, sitting on the Court of Appeals by assignment.