Opinion
C20-564 TSZ
07-30-2020
JILLIAN HORMAN, Plaintiff, v. SUNBELT RENTALS INC, et al., Defendants.
ORDER
THIS MATTER comes before the Court on Defendant Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.'s ("Sunbelt") Motion to Dismiss, docket no. 13. Having reviewed all papers filed in support of and in opposition to the motion, the Court enters the following order. Background
From June 21, 2018 to April 26, 2019, Plaintiff Jillian Horman ("Horman") worked as a driver for Sunbelt in Redmond, Washington. Complaint ("Compl."), docket no. 1 at ¶¶ 8-9. Horman was hired to work an eight-hour shift, five days per week. Id. at ¶¶ 11-12. The work included picking up and delivering construction equipment such as skid steers, small excavators, and scissor lifts. Id. at ¶ 10.
Horman alleges that soon after she began working for Sunbelt, she began to experience a variety of negative interactions with other Sunbelt employees. Around August 2018, in response to one negative incident with a dispatcher, Horman went to Sunbelt's District Manager, Perry Cook ("Cook"), for help. Id. at ¶¶ 14-15. In response, Cook told Horman that she was in the "wrong role" because she is "female." Id. at ¶ 17. Horman then reported these comments to Sunbelt's Human Resources department. Id. at ¶ 19.
Around March 2019, Horman also reported to Human Resources that she began to feel that her direct manager, Brett Johnson ("Johnson"), treated her differently than her male counterparts. Id. at ¶ 56. Horman alleges that Sunbelt's treatment of her got increasingly worse. Id. at ¶ 60. For example, Horman, who is 5'1" tall, alleges that Johnson did not "promptly" respond to Horman's request for women's sized work pants. Id. at ¶¶ 22-23, 92. Horman also alleges that Johnson publicly scolded Horman in front of other employees. Id. at ¶ 48. Horman also suspected that Johnson was adjusting her VDOS logs. Id. at ¶¶ 58-59. Sunbelt refused to supply Horman with tools and rain gear, forcing her to equip herself. Id. at ¶ 63. Johnson later confronted Horman about her Human Resources report. Id. at ¶¶ 53-54.
On March 27, 2019, Horman's physician, Dr. Billett, recommended that she work a maximum of eight hours per day due to her elevated blood pressure. Id. at ¶¶ 67, 73-74. Horman submitted Dr. Billett's recommendation to Sunbelt, and he completed the Sunbelt certification paperwork indicating that Horman had elevated blood pressure. Id. at ¶¶ 68, 73.
In response, Johnson told Horman that she would be terminated if she did not work overtime. Id. at ¶ 69. Sunbelt also refused to allow Horman to attend medical appointments occurring during work hours, and then placed her on a leave of absence on April 11, 2019. Id. at ¶¶ 70, 75. After placing Horman on leave, Sunbelt's Human Resources representative, Mariana Stout ("Stout"), attempted to contact Dr. Billett without Horman's permission to seek her medical information. Id. at ¶¶ 76-77. Various Sunbelt Human Resources personnel informed Horman that Sunbelt's business needs required Horman to work overtime and that it would not accommodate her. Id. at ¶¶ 80, 82, 84.
On April 17, 2019, Stout told Horman her medical leave was denied and that Sunbelt expected her to return to work the following day. Id. at ¶ 85. Horman was then assigned work that she had not been regularly required to do. Id. at ¶¶ 89-91. Johnson told Horman she was "not giving one hundred percent" and that she either needed to work more than eight hours or resign from her position and sign a severance agreement. Id. at ¶¶ 96, 98. Horman reiterated her request to be accommodated and refused to sign the severance agreement. Id. at ¶¶ 99, 106. Horman then went to clean her work truck of her personal belongings. Id. at ¶ 102. While Horman and Johnson were in the parking lot, Johnson said, "Take your pants off." Id. at ¶ 111. When Horman hesitated, Johnson yelled, "I need your uniform now!" Id. at ¶ 115. Horman clarified whether Johnson wanted her to take her pants off in the parking lot, to which Johnson reiterated, "I want the uniforms back, now." Id. at ¶¶ 116-17. Johnson began to follow Horman around the parking lot. Id. at ¶ 119. Sunbelt sent her a letter soon after that incident informing her that she had violated company policy and voluntarily abandoned her job. Id. at ¶¶ 120-21.
Plaintiff does not allege that she in fact took off her pants in response to the request.
Horman asserts causes of action for (1) Washington Law Against Discrimination ("WLAD") disability discrimination; (2) Retaliation under the WLAD; (3) Failure to accommodate under the WLAD; (4) Hostile work environment based on disability under the WLAD; (5) Sex discrimination under the WLAD; (6) Hostile work environment based on sex under the WLAD; (7) Negligent supervision and training and failure to Train; (8) Respondeat superior; (9) Intentional infliction of emotional distress; and (10) Negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Sunbelt now moves to dismiss all counts except retaliation under the WLAD and respondeat superior. Docket no. 13. Discussion
a. Standard for Motion to Dismiss
Although a complaint challenged by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss need not provide detailed factual allegations, it must offer "more than labels and conclusions" and contain more than a "formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action." Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). The complaint must indicate more than mere speculation of a right to relief. Id. When a complaint fails to adequately state a claim, such deficiency should be "exposed at the point of minimum expenditure of time and money by the parties and the court." Id. at 558. A complaint may be lacking for one of two reasons: (i) absence of a cognizable legal theory, or (ii) insufficient facts under a cognizable legal claim. Robertson v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 749 F.2d 530, 534 (9th Cir. 1984). In ruling on a motion to dismiss, the Court must assume the truth of the plaintiff's allegations and draw all reasonable inferences in the plaintiff's favor. Usher v. City of Los Angeles, 828 F.2d 556, 561 (9th Cir. 1987). The question for the Court is whether the facts in the complaint sufficiently state a "plausible" ground for relief. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570.
b. Whether elevated blood pressure can be a disability under the WLAD
Sunbelt moves to dismiss Horman's disability-related claims (Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶¶ 122-25; 131-41) on the basis that elevated blood pressure is not a disability under the WLAD. Sunbelt contends that elevated blood pressure is not an impairment, a medically diagnosable disorder, or a medically recognized disease. Motion to Dismiss, docket no. 13 at 5. Sunbelt also contends that it did not "perceive" Horman's elevated blood pressure as a disability. Id.
Sunbelt relies heavily on Taylor v. Burlington N. R.R. Holdings, Inc., 193 Wn.2d 611 (2019), in support of its position. Whether a claimed disability is a medically recognized disease was not a necessary part of the analysis in either the Taylor opinion or any statute or interpretive regulation. The Taylor court merely held that the medical recognition of obesity as a disease "further supports" the finding that obesity is a physiological disorder. Id. at 626. In Reply, Sunbelt contends that "[w]hile hypertension may be medically considered to be a disease, the Complaint alleges no facts that elevated blood pressure is similarly a medically recognized disorder." Reply, docket no. 15 at 4 (emphasis added). Hypertension, high blood pressure, and elevated blood pressure refer to different stages of the same condition. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, which the Taylor court relied on in its analysis as a "reliable and trusted source for medical information," Taylor, 193 Wn.2d at 623 n.6, states that "[b]lood pressure in adults is classified as normal, elevated blood pressure, stage 1 (mild) hypertension, or stage 2 hypertension. However, the higher the blood pressure, the greater the risk of complications—even within the normal blood pressure range—so these limits are somewhat arbitrary." George L. Bakris, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), MERCK MANUAL OF DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY (Oct. 2019), https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart-and-blood-vessel-disorders/high-blood-pressure/high-blood-pressure.
Horman alleges in the Complaint that Sunbelt "treated Plaintiff differently . . . because of Plaintiff's actual or perceived disability." Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 123. Horman also alleges that Sunbelt placed her on leave on the basis that it could not accommodate her perceived disability. Id. at ¶ 75.
The WLAD defines "disability" as "a sensory, mental, or physical impairment that: (i) is medically cognizable or diagnosable; or (ii) exists as a record or history; or (iii) is perceived to exist whether or not it exists in fact." RCW 49.60.040(7)(a). An "impairment" includes, in pertinent part, "[a]ny physiological disorder or condition . . . affecting one or more of the following body systems: . . . cardiovascular." RCW 49.60.040(7)(c)(i). A disorder is further defined as "a derangement of function" and "an abnormal physical or mental condition." Taylor v. Burlington N. R.R. Holdings, Inc., 193 Wn.2d 611, 626 (2019) (citing Webster's dictionary).
Both parties cite to Taylor v. Burlington N. R.R. Holdings, Inc., 193 Wn.2d 611 (2019), in support of their arguments regarding whether elevated blood pressure can be an impairment under the WLAD. In Taylor, the Washington Supreme Court held that "obesity always qualifies as an impairment under the plain language of [the WLAD] because it is recognized by the medical community as a 'physiological disorder, or condition' that affects multiple body systems listed in the statute." Id. at 615. In so holding, the Taylor court first noted that the Washington legislature "intended to adopt a broad and expansive definition of 'disability' in order to protect against discrimination." Id. at 621. Then, relying on sources such as the American Medical Association, the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, and Webster's dictionary, the Taylor court found that obesity qualifies as a physiological disorder. Id. at 622-28. The Taylor court also found that obesity "inherently affects" body systems including the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, lymphatic system, and the endocrine system. Id. at 629.
Here, Horman contends that her elevated blood pressure is a disability under the WLAD because it is a physiological disorder that affects the cardiovascular system. Sufficiently severe high blood pressure may constitute a disability under WLAD. Whether Horman's elevated blood pressure is a disability under the WLAD, however, involves a question of fact. See, e.g., Erickson v. Biogen, Inc., 417 F. Supp. 3d 1369, 1378-79 (W.D. Wash. 2019) (question of fact regarding whether migraine condition was a disability under WLAD where it was unclear whether plaintiff's migraines "substantially limit[e]d at least one life activity" or condition was merely "transitory and minor").
c. Disability Discrimination Under the WLAD (First Cause of Action)
An employee alleging disparate treatment must establish that "(1) he belongs to a protected class, (2) he was treated less favorably in the terms or conditions of his employment, (3) than a similarly situated, nonprotected employee, and (4) he and the nonprotected employee were doing substantially the same work; if the employer then proffers a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for its action, then (5) the plaintiff must produce evidence indicating that the employer's reason is pretextual." Billings v. Town of Steilacoom, 2 Wn. App. 2d 1, 24 (2017). At the motion to dismiss stage, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 8(a)(2) requires only a "short and plain statement of the claim showing the pleader is entitled to relief" in the employment discrimination context. Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N. A., 534 U.S. 506, 508 (2002); Schmitt v. Kaiser Found. Health Plan of Washington, 2020 WL 3969281, at *10 n.8 (9th Cir. July 14, 2020) ("At the pleadings stage, we do not require a plaintiff to allege enough detail to state a prima facie case of discrimination.").
Sunbelt repeatedly cites to Horman's burden to establish the elements of a prima facie employment discrimination case for her various claims. See Motion to Dismiss, docket no. 13 at 6, 10, 11, 12 & 16; Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss, docket no. 15 at 5, 7-9. While Horman will bear the burden of establishing a prima facie case at summary judgment, she bears no such burden at the motion to dismiss stage. Compare Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N. A., 534 U.S. 506, 510 (2002) ("The prima facie case under McDonnell Douglas, however, is an evidentiary standard, not a pleading requirement.") with Mikkelsen v. Pub. Util. Dist. No. 1 of Kittitas Cty., 189 Wn.2d 516, 526-27 (2017) (requirement that at summary judgment, the plaintiff must establish a prima facie case of discrimination either by offering direct evidence of an employer's discriminatory intent, or by satisfying the three-part burden-shifting standard first announced in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973)).
Sunbelt contends that the Complaint contains no allegations that Horman was treated less favorably as compared to any similarly situated employee who was not disabled. This comparative element is not necessary, however, to establish a prima facie case under McDonnell Douglas. Mikkelsen v. Pub. Util. Dist. No. 1 of Kittitas Cty., 189 Wn.2d 516, 531-32 (2017). Horman alleges that, in response to her accommodation request, Sunbelt refused to accommodate her and gave her the choice to work without her requested accommodation or, essentially, to quit. See Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶¶ 69, 80. Horman alleges facts in the Complaint that, taken as true, state a plausible claim that Sunbelt would have allowed a similarly situated but non-disabled person (i.e. one who was able to work overtime) to continue working. Sunbelt's Motion is DENIED as to Plaintiff's first cause of action for disability discrimination under the WLAD.
Every case Sunbelt cites for the proposition that Horman must establish a prima facie case of disparate treatment on the basis of disability was decided on a motion for summary judgment. See, e.g., Billings v. Town of Steilacoom, 2 Wn. App. 2d 1, 24 (2017); Johnson v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 80 Wn. App. 212 (1996); Godwin v. Hunt Wesson, Inc., 150 F.3d 1217 (9th Cir. 1998); Coghlan v. Am. Seafoods Co. LLC, 413 F.3d 1090 (9th Cir. 2005); Kang v. U. Lim Am., Inc., 296 F.3d 810 (9th Cir. 2002); Moran v. Selig, 447 F.3d 748 (9th Cir. 2006); McDaniels v. Grp. Health Co-op, 57 F. Supp. 3d 1300 (W.D. Wash. 2014).
Sunbelt characterizes Horman's recitation of the ultimatum that she either "work overtime up to twelve hours per day or that Sunbelt would not accommodate her" (Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 80) as "completely nonsensical." Accepting the allegation as true and construing it in the light most favorable to Horman, Sunbelt offered Horman no real choice. Particularly considered in conjunction with Sunbelt's other statements and actions (see, e.g., id. at ¶¶ 69, 75, 82, 99), this statement unequivocally alleges Sunbelt's refusal to accommodate Horman.
Although the Court denies the Motion with respect to this claim, given the paucity of facts alleged in support, this claim as currently alleged is not likely to survive a summary judgment challenge.
d. Retaliation Under the WLAD (Second Cause of Action)
Defendant's Motion to Dismiss does not seek to address or dismiss Horman's retaliation claim. Horman's second cause of action for retaliation remains in the case.
e. Failure to Accommodate Disability Under the WLAD (Third Cause of Action)
Under the WLAD, an accommodation claim involves two inquiries: (i) whether the employee was disabled within the meaning of the WLAD; and (ii) whether the employer met its affirmative obligation to reasonably accommodate the disability. See Delaplaine v. United Airlines, Inc., 518 F. Supp. 2d 1275, 1277 (W.D. Wash. 2007) (citing Pulcino v. Fed. Express Corp., 141 Wn.2d 629, 640 (2000)).
Sunbelt contends that Horman's elevated blood pressure did not "substantially limit" her ability to perform her job as a driver for Sunbelt as is required under the WLAD before a right to accommodation arises. Delaplaine, 518 F. Supp. 2d at 1277-78; Townsend v. Walla Walla Sch. Dist., 147 Wn. App. 620, 626-27 (2008).
Horman's physician diagnosed her with elevated blood pressure and directed her not to work more than eight hours per day. Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶¶ 67, 73. Because Sunbelt required her to work more than eight hours a day, Horman has alleged that her elevated blood pressure had a substantially limiting effect on her job. Sunbelt's Motion is DENIED as to Horman's third cause of action for failure to accommodate disability under the WLAD.
In support of the contention that Horman has not sufficiently alleged a claim, Sunbelt cites only to cases decided at the summary judgment stage or after trial. See Delaplaine v. United Airlines, Inc., 518 F. Supp. 2d 1275 (W.D. Wash. 2007); Johnson v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc., 159 Wn. App. 18 (2010); Townsend v. Walla Walla Sch. Dist., 147 Wn. App. 620 (2008); and Stallworth v. Seattle Sch. Dist. No. 1, 2013 WL 822400 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 6, 2013). Davis v. Microsoft Corp., 149 Wn.2d 521 (2003) was decided after trial.
Whether Horman's elevated blood pressure actually had a substantially limiting effect on her job involves a disputed issue of material fact. See Erickson, 417 F. Supp. 3d at 1378-79.
f. Hostile Work Environment Based on Disability Under the WLAD (Fourth Cause of Action)
A plaintiff must prove that (1) he or she was disabled within the meaning of the antidiscrimination statute, (2) the harassment was unwelcome, (3) it was because of disability, (4) it affected the terms and conditions of employment, and (5) it was imputable to the employer. Robel v. Roundup Corp., 148 Wn.2d 35, 45 (2002). At this stage, Horman need not support her allegations with evidence, but her Complaint must allege sufficient facts to state the elements of a hostile work environment claim—"a formulaic recitation of a cause of action's elements will not do." See Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555.
Here, Plaintiff does not allege unwelcome harassment that occurred because of her disability. The portions of the Complaint that Horman asserts in Opposition to the motion (see Plaintiff's Opposition, docket no. 14 at 11-12) relate merely to Sunbelt's denial of Horman's accommodation request and not to any unwelcome harassment in connection with that denial. Cf. Floyd v. Lee, 968 F. Supp. 2d 308, 328-29 (D.D.C. 2013) (while "somewhat thin," allegations that defendant made "humiliating" and "derogatory" comments in connection with refusing to accommodate plaintiff's disability, such as "I don't give a damn about her disability," were sufficient to survive motion to dismiss hostile work environment disability claim). Horman asks the Court to recognize a cause of action for hostile work environment based solely on Sunbelt's failure to accommodate her. Even accepting the allegations of the Complaint as true for purposes of this motion, Horman does not allege any facts showing that, as a result of her disability, her workplace became so "permeated with discriminatory intimidation, ridicule, and insult" that was "sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of [her] employment and create an abusive working environment." Harris v. Forklift Sys., Inc., 510 U.S. 17, 21 (1993) (citation omitted). Horman's fourth cause of action for hostile work environment based on disability under the WLAD is DISMISSED without prejudice.
g. Sex Discrimination Under the WLAD (Fifth Cause of Action)
Under the WLAD, it is unlawful for an employer "[t]o discriminate against any person in compensation or in other terms or conditions of employment because of . . . sex." RCW 49.60.180(3). A plaintiff must show "(1) membership in a protected class; (2) the plaintiff was similarly situated to members of the opposite sex, i.e., that he or she was qualified for the position applied for or was performing substantially equal work; [and] (3) because of plaintiff's sex he or she was treated differently than members of the opposite sex." Marquis v. City of Spokane, 130 Wn.2d 97, 113-14 (1996). "When such a claim is brought by a woman against her employer, she must show, in essence, that the employer treated her differently from similarly situated men." Schonauer v. DCR Entm't, Inc., 79 Wn. App. 808, 825-26 (1995).
In support of this claim, Horman relies on alleged repeated statements by Mr. Cook, Sunbelt's district manager that she was "in the wrong role" because she is "female." Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 17. It is unclear how these facts show that Sunbelt treated Horman differently than similarly situated men. Indeed, the Complaint itself suggests that Sunbelt's treatment of Horman was due to her disability and not because of her sex. See, e.g., id at ¶¶ 69, 80, 82, 84, 98-99. Horman's fifth cause of action for sex discrimination under the WLAD is DISMISSED without prejudice.
Other allegations Horman alleges in her complaint include conclusory assertions that Johnson treated her differently than her male counterparts. Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶¶ 56, 60. Horman cites, for example, an instance in which she told Johnson, "You are being a bully and discriminating against me because I'm a woman." Id. at ¶ 118. Horman's conclusory accusation of sex discrimination in an otherwise gender-neutral conversation does not make it so. See, e.g., Austin v. Univ. of Or., 925 F.3d 1133, 1138 (9th Cir. 2019) ("Just saying so is not enough. A recitation of facts without plausible connection to gender is not cured by labels and conclusory statements about sex discrimination.").
h. Hostile Work Environment Based on Sex Under the WLAD (Sixth Cause of Action)
Horman also brings a hostile work environment claim on the basis of sex. To establish a prima facie hostile work environment claim, a plaintiff must show the following four elements: "(1) the harassment was unwelcome, (2) the harassment was because plaintiff was a member of a protected class, (3) the harassment affected the terms and conditions of employment, and (4) the harassment is imputable to the employer." Loeffelholz v. Univ. of Wash., 175 Wn.2d 264, 275 (2012) (citation omitted).
Horman's Complaint fails to allege conduct by Sunbelt that was due to her sex. Horman cites the same conversation with the Sunbelt's district manager (Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 17) as well as an instance in which Johnson did not "promptly" provide her with the correct size of work pants (id. at ¶¶ 22-23). She cites no other instances that are attributable to her sex. Taken in the light most favorable to Horman, these isolated incidents are neither sufficiently pervasive or severe such that they altered the conditions of her employment. Vasquez v. Cty. of Los Angeles, 349 F.3d 634, 642 (9th Cir. 2003), as amended (Jan. 2, 2004). Horman's sixth cause of action for hostile work environment based on sex under the WLAD is DISMISSED without prejudice.
Plaintiff cites a number of other instances of alleged harassment completely unconnected to sex which provide no basis for this claim. See, e.g., Plaintiff's Opposition, docket no. 14 at 15.
i. Negligent Supervision and Training and Failure to Train (Seventh Cause of Action)
The theory of negligent hiring and supervision "creates a limited duty to control an employee for the protection of third parties, even where the employee is acting outside the scope of employment." Niece v. Elmview Grp. Home, 131 Wn.2d 39, 51 (1997). To establish a claim for negligent hiring and supervision, a plaintiff must show: (1) another employee acted outside the scope of his employment with defendant; (2) he presented a risk of harm; (3) defendant knew, or should have known in the exercise of reasonable care, that the employee posed a risk to others, and (4) defendant's failure to supervise was a proximate cause of the loss. Garrison v. Sagepoint Fin., Inc., 185 Wn. App. 461, 484 (2015).
Horman does not allege that any Sunbelt employee acted outside the scope of their employment. In fact, Horman alleges the opposite. See Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 4 (alleging that each defendant was "acting within the course and scope of Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. in causing the harm as alleged herein"). Horman's seventh cause of action for negligent supervision and training and failure to train is DISMISSED without prejudice. j. Respondeat Superior (Eighth Cause of Action)
Horman fails to plead even a "formulaic recitation of the elements" of a negligent supervision claim, let alone any facts that support those elements. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555. The Court also notes that a claim for negligent supervision that is duplicative of a discrimination claim must be dismissed. See, e.g., Francom v. Costco Wholesale Corp., 98 Wn. App. 845, 866 (2000); Golden v. W. Corp., 2012 WL 405457, at *3 (E.D. Wash. Feb. 8, 2012).
Sunbelt's Motion to Dismiss does not address or seek to dismiss Horman's eighth cause of action, respondeat superior. Horman's eighth cause of action for respondeat superior therefore remains in the case.
k. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress ("IIED") (Ninth Cause of Action) & Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress ("NIED") (Tenth Cause of Action)
To prevail on a claim for IIED, a plaintiff must prove three elements: "(1) extreme and outrageous conduct, (2) intentional or reckless infliction of emotional distress, and (3) severe emotional distress on the part of the plaintiff." Robel v. Roundup Corp., 148 Wn.2d 35, 51 (2002) (citation omitted).
Horman fails to plead facts that constitute an IIED claim. Although troubling, the only instance Horman cites to support her outrage claim is when Johnson told Horman to take her pants off. Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶ 111. On its own, this isolated instance does not provide sufficient grounds for an IIED claim.
At the pleading stage, bare and conclusory allegations of emotional distress unsupported by factual detail are merely a "formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action" and are "wholly insufficient to state a claim." Phillips v. KIRO-TV, Inc., 817 F. Supp. 2d 1317, 1325 (W.D. Wash. 2011) (citing Twombly, 550 U.S. at 555). Horman has also made only conclusory allegations that she suffered "mental distress" in "an amount to be proven at trial." Compl., docket no. 1-1 at ¶¶ 66, 160, 165. These conclusory allegations of emotional distress are insufficient, particularly considering that Horman does not need discovery to determine the extent of her own emotional distress. Horman's ninth cause of action for IIED is DISMISSED without prejudice.
The Court also notes that if Horman amends her complaint to replead the dismissed causes of action, she may only recover damages for NIED and IIED if the factual basis for those claims is distinct from the facts supporting her other existing claims under the WLAD. Northrop v. Safeway, Inc., 2017 WL 1543331, at *4 (W.D. Wash. Apr. 28, 2017); Caldwell v. Boeing Co., 2018 WL 2113980, at *10 (W.D. Wash. May 8, 2018).
For her NIED claim, Horman also fails to allege objective symptoms of emotional distress. See Corrigal v. Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, Inc., 89 Wn.2d 959, 962 (1978) (citation omitted). Horman's tenth cause of action for NIED is DISMISSED without prejudice.
In her Opposition, Horman misstates the elements required to plead an NIED claim against an employer in the workplace. See Opposition, docket no. 14 at 19. Horman's stated NIED elements come from the dissent in Snyder v. Med. Serv. Corp. of E. Washington, 145 Wn.2d 233 (2001). Sunbelt correctly contends that Horman has not pled the requisite elements of an NIED claim of duty, breach, proximate cause, and injury. In particular, Horman "fails to clearly articulate what duty she would have us impose on her employer" given the fact that "[t]here is no duty for an employer to provide employees with a stress free workplace." Id. at 243. Horman's NIED claims also fails for this independent reason.
l. Dismissal Without Prejudice
If the Court dismisses the complaint or portions thereof, it must consider whether to grant leave to amend. Lopez v. Smith, 203 F.3d 1122, 1130 (9th Cir. 2000). Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(2) provides that leave to amend a complaint "shall be freely given when justice so requires." Here, Sunbelt would not be prejudiced by any amendment to cure the foregoing defects in the Complaint. The Court therefore dismisses Horman's fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, ninth, and tenth causes of action without prejudice and with leave to amend. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, the Court ORDERS:
(1) Defendant Sunbelt's Motion to Dismiss, docket no. 13, is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as follows:
(a) The Motion is DENIED as to the following causes of action: the first cause of action for disability discrimination under the WLAD and the third cause of action for failure to accommodate disability under the WLAD; and
(b) The Motion is GRANTED as to the following causes of action, which are DISMISSED without prejudice and with leave to amend: the fourth cause of action for hostile work environment based on disability under the WLAD, the fifth cause of action for sex discrimination under the WLAD, the sixth cause of action for hostile work environment based on sex under the WLAD, the seventh cause of action for negligent supervision and training and failure to train, the ninth cause of action for IIED, and the tenth cause of action for NIED.
(2) Plaintiff shall file any amended complaint within sixty (60) days from the date of this Order.
(3) As a result of the Court's rulings, the following causes of action remain:
(a) The first cause of action for disability discrimination under the WLAD;
(b) The second cause of action for retaliation under the WLAD;
(c) The third cause of action for failure to accommodate disability under the WLAD; and
(d) The eighth cause of action for respondeat superior.
(4) The Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Order to all counsel of record.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Dated this 30th day of July, 2020.
/s/_________
Thomas S. Zilly
United States District Judge