Branham v. Gannett Satellite Info. Network, Inc., 09-6149, concerned a challenge to the district court's grant of summary judgment in favor of the employer, in plaintiff's suit under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) against her former employer for being terminated from her job as a receptionist. In reversing, the court remanded the matter in concluding that the district court erred when it granted summary judgment to defendant based on the submission of negative medical certification indicating that plaintiff could return to work. The court also held that plaintiff has produced sufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact about her entitlement to FMLA leave, and defendant was not permitted to deny her leave based on the certification requirement when it never properly requested certification or informed her of the consequences of failing to provide the same, as required by Department of Labor regulations.
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