US employee wins $450K lawsuit after unwanted office birthday party

A Kentucky man has been awarded $450,000 (£345,314) after his company threw him a surprise birthday party despite his warnings that it would trigger stress and anxiety.

 

The plaintiff, Kevin Berling, claims that the unwanted 2019 birthday party at Gravity Diagnostics caused him a series of panic attacks.

Mr Berling’s lawsuit alleged that the company discriminated against him based on a disability. The company has denied any wrongdoing. According to the lawsuit filed in Kentucky’s Kenton County, Mr. Berling – who suffers from anxiety disorders – had asked his manager to not celebrate his birthday at work as it normally does for its employees, as it could potentially result in a panic attack and would bring back uncomfortable childhood memories. Despite Mr Berling’s request, the company, which conducts Covid-19 tests, threw him a surprise party in August 2019, triggering a panic attack. He quickly left the party and finished his lunch in his car.

 

from the desk of Dayanand Mangaonkar