A man from the US, won $ 450,000 after his girlfriend held a surprise birthday party for him despite his warnings that it would provoke stress and anxiety. The surprise caused him a series of panic attacks
A Kentucky man has won $ 450,000 after being given a surprise birthday party despite warnings it would make him anxious, prosecutor Kevin Burling claimed that “the unwanted birthday party” in 2019 “caused him a series of panic attacks” Burling’s lawsuit alleges that the company discriminated against him on the grounds of disability.The company denied any discrimination.
According to the lawsuit filed in Canton County, Kentucky, Burling, who suffers from anxiety disorders, asked his manager not to celebrate his birthday at work as the company tends to do to its employees, as this could cause a panic attack and bring him bad childhood memories. But the company held a surprise party for him in August 2019, causing a panic attack. He quickly left the party and finished his lunch in his car.
The prosecution notes that Burling was severely criticized by his co-workers the next day, they accused him of “stealing the joy of his co-workers” and “being a little girl”. The tense meeting with his co-workers provoked a second panic attack, after which the company sent him home for a few days. On August 11, the company fired him, citing “workplace safety concerns.” His lawsuit alleges that the company discriminated against him due to disability, and unjustly retaliated against him for his request not to hold a birthday party.
A few days ago, a jury awarded him $ 450,000 in compensation, $ 300,000 for mental anguish and $ 150,000 in wage losses.
Data from the National Organization for Mental Illness shows that over 40 million Americans – nearly 20% of the population – suffer from anxiety disorders.