Richardson v. Bd. of Administration, Cal. Public Employees' Retirement System CA3

FACTS

Plaintiff began working for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in 1987. She worked in various positions over the years, and was promoted to be a driver safety

1 officer in 1998. In that position, plaintiff conducted administrative hearings and issued written decisions. In 1996, she suffered injuries from two separate car accidents. The first occurred in January when her car was broadsided by another car. She hurt her lower back, and she missed approximately four months of work. The second accident occurred in July of that year. She was conducting a driving test, and a car rear-ended her car. She suffered injuries to her head, neck, back, and knee. She missed work for approximately a year and a half. Plaintiff returned to work in 1998 at a San Francisco DMV office. She transferred to the Sacramento field office in 2000, where she continued to work until 2003. From the time plaintiff returned to work in 1998, she was able to perform the duties of a driver safety officer until 2003, although she stated she struggled with the physical aspects of the job. In October 2003, plaintiff was involved in a heated discussion with a coworker who plaintiff believed was harassing her.…