Canned Obese Employee Sues, Gets $55K

When 680-pound Ronald Kratz II got fired from his job, he was pretty sure it was for being too fat. Now his old company is giving him $55,000 and six months of outplacement services in a legal settlement, reports the Houston Chronicle. With the help of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Kratz argued that he was qualified to do his work as a materials handler for military-vehicle manufacturer BAE Systems, and that he was discriminated against for being fat under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Virginia-based company denies any wrongdoing related to firing Kratz, but as part of the settlement, it will have to provide training to managers. Kratz has remained unemployed since 2009, but he is dieting and down to 350 pounds. (More Ronald Kratz II stories.)