Eighth Circuit: Jamie Smith v. AS America, Inc.


FMLA, Estoppel


No clear error in court's holding that back illness was a chronic condition.

Liquidated damages are appropriate unless affirmative defense of good faith conduct is established.

Since fees evidence didn't go to merits, no abuse of discretion in court's award of fees despite lack of disclosure in discovery.

No clear error in court refusing to bar award under judicial estoppel where there is no showing that there was a deliberate misrepresentation or one that gave the party any advantage in the proceeding.

Given limited probative value of the records, court erred in reducing award by crediting the after-acquired-evidence as a basis for the end of employment, rather than crediting the witness' testimony.

Jamie Smith  v.  AS America, Inc.