Coffee v. McDonnell Douglas Corp.

Opinion

SULLIVAN, J.

In this action for damages for personal injuries defendant McDonnell-Douglas Corporation 1 appeals from a judgment entered upon a jury verdict in favor of plaintiff and from an order denying defendant’s motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

Plaintiff Robert Coffee, after retiring from the United States Air Force in January 1966, applied for a position as a pilot with defendant, a manufacturer of aircraft. Defendant corporation required each of its pilot applicants to undergo a pre-employment physical examination to establish his physical fitness for the job.…