TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 6, 2023

A Knoxville family who sought to ban gum-chewing and eating in their daughter’s classes can proceed with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit, Knox News reports. The suit had been languishing in the appeals process after a federal judge ruled it was not properly filed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found that the complaint was properly filed and sent the case back to the district court. “Jane Doe” suffers from misophonia, a rare disorder characterized by an extreme reaction — similar to a panic attack — to hearing sounds such as chewing. The family has since moved the girl to another school. The attorney for the family said they will amend the suit to seek reimbursement for the costs associated with that move.