Case Explained: Non-Argument Calendar JOHNNY BEDGOOD, JR v. WASTE MANAGEMENT INC

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Filed: 2026-06-22 Docket: 6:22-cv-01449-CEM-NWH The eleventh-circuit affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Waste Management Inc., dismissing Johnny Bedgood, Jr.’s claim that his termination violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The court applied de novo review and held that no reasonable jury could find the employer discriminated against Bedgood based on his disability, obstructive sleep apnea. Under 42 U.S.C. § 12112(a), the plaintiff bears the burden of proving unlawful discrimination caused by his disability; however, the court found Bedgood offered virtually no evidence of discriminatory intent, noting that he conceded at deposition he had no evidence linking his condition to the termination decision. The record demonstrated that the employer accommodated Bedgood’s medical needs by granting requested leave and terminated him pursuant to its attendance policy due to unexplained “no-call, no-show” absences unrelated to his disability. Additionally, the court rejected a failure-to-accommodate claim because Bedgood failed to make a specific demand for additional accommodation prior to termination, and denied his challenge to the denial of leave to file a second amended complaint for failing to establish good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b)(4). The judgment of the district court stands, and all pending motions are denied as moot. Do It For The Case Law is a news reporting service. Nothing in this episode constitutes legal advice.