A Wisconsin federal court has rejected Chuck E. Cheese’s’ efforts to overturn a November 1999 jury verdict that found the company liable under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for firing a mentally retarded janitor.
Magistrate Judge Stephen L. Crocker found that the evidence supported the jury’s finding that Perkl, who is mentally retarded, autistic and non-verbal, was qualified for his job cleaning the Chuck E. Cheese’s facility, with the assistance of his job coach provided by Madison Packaging & Assembly, a community vocational rehabilitation program. The court further found that his performance had been satisfactory during the three weeks prior to his termination.
