Chicago V. Washington State Human Rights Commission

In June 1973, Robert G. Clark applied for the job of railroad brakeman with the respondent, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad Company (Railroad). The application process included a medical report covering Clark's physical history and the results of a physical examination. During his physical examination, Clark informed the examining physician of two previous knee surgeries, a medial meniscectomy in each knee, one performed in 1962 and the other in 1967. These two knee surgeries were included in the report, which was sent to the Railroad's chief surgeon. Based on this medical report, the Railroad's chief surgeon recommended that Clark's employment application not be approved. On July 26, 1973, Clark received a letter from the Railroad informing him that his application had been rejected.