Deaf Truck Driver Wins Discrimination Case Against Werner Enterprises

In a landmark decision, an Omaha, Nebraska federal judge ordered Werner Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiary Drivers Management, LLC, to pay $335,682 to Victor Robinson, a deaf truck driver. This ruling comes months after a jury sided with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on disability discrimination claims. The case, rooted in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), was a significant victory for workplace inclusivity and anti-discrimination efforts.

The court’s decision follows a jury verdict that initially awarded Robinson $36 million in punitive damages and $75,000 in compensatory damages. However, Senior Judge John M. Gerrard later adjusted the punitive damages to $300,000, in line with federal limitations on employment discrimination cases, and added $35,682 for lost wages. The case, EEOC v. Drivers Management, LLC and Werner Enterprises, Inc., spotlighted Werner’s refusal to hire Robinson in 2016, despite his qualifications and licensure as a truck driver. The EEOC took legal action after unsuccessful pre-litigation conciliation efforts.

The trial, culminating in September 2023, saw an eight-person jury conclude that Werner Enterprises violated the ADA by not hiring Robinson due to his deafness and failing to provide reasonable accommodation for his disability. In addition to the financial compensation, Werner is required to submit semi-annual reports to the EEOC for three years, detailing their hiring practices regarding deaf truck drivers. This case underscores the importance of ADA compliance and inclusive hiring practices in the trucking industry and beyond.