Supremes to take up ADA case on "paternalistic rules"
Oct. 30, 2001 -- Mario Echazabal had worked in Chevron's refinery in El Segundo, Calif. for two decades as an independent contractor. But when he applied to be an employee of Chevron, the oil giant refused to hire him. His employment physical had revealed a chronic liver disease -- it could get worse, perhaps fatally so, by exposure to the chemicals and solvents used in the refinery, said Chevron. Echazabal sued under the Americans with Disabilties Act. He won his case. Chevron appealed.