Vanhook v. Cooper Health Sys.

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

Diamond, J.

Marsha VanHook alleges that her former employer Cooper Health System discriminated and retaliated against her because she took leave under the Family Medical Leave Act and because of disabilities suffered by both her and her son. Cooper urges that it fired VanHook after video footage and photographs confirmed that she had repeatedly lied about the reasons she took leave. In responding, VanHook largely ignores this damning evidence, and instead conjures factual disputes respecting Cooper's decision (before it took any punitive action) to investigate her inordinate use of leave. Her arguments are well beside the point. Because the record confirms VanHook's abusive and dishonest actions, I will grant Cooper's Summary Judgment Motion.

I. JURISDICTION

The Court has jurisdiction to hear VanHook's FMLA and Americans with Disabilities Act claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because they "aris[e] under" the laws of the United [*2]  States. The Court has supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff's state law claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1367.

On May 15, 2020, Chief Judge Smith designated and assigned me to hear this case in the District of New Jersey pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 292(b). (See Doc. No. 17.)

II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT

I may grant a motion for summary judgment when "the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56. The movant must show that no genuine issue of material fact exists, even where the nonmovant would bear the burden of proof at trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986). A dispute is "genuine" if a reasonable jury could find for the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986). A fact is "material" only if it "might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law." Id. I must view all facts in the light most favorable to the nonmovant and draw all justifiable inferences in his favor. Prowel v. Wise Business Forms, Inc., 579 F.3d 285, 286 (3d Cir. 2009).

III. BACKGROUND

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