Le Velle v. Penske Logistics , 197 F. App'x 729 ( 2006 )


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  •                                                                        F I L E D
    United States Court of Appeals
    Tenth Circuit
    UNITED STATES CO URT O F APPEALS
    August 11, 2006
    TENTH CIRCUIT                     Elisabeth A. Shumaker
    Clerk of Court
    RAY LEVELLE,
    Plaintiff - Appellee,                      No. 05-1216
    v.                                             (D.C. No. 02-F-2220 (PAC))
    PENSK E LOGISTICS, a subsidiary of                      (D . Colo.)
    Penske Truck Leasing Corporation,
    Defendant - Appellant.
    OR D ER AND JUDGM ENT *
    Before M U RPH Y, B AL DOC K, and M cCO NNELL, Circuit Judges.
    I. Introduction
    Ray LeVelle sued his former employer, Penske Logistics (“Penske”), in the
    United States District Court for the D istrict of C olorado. Among other claims,
    LeVelle alleged Penske violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)
    when it terminated his employment after learning he was w orking subject to
    doctor-recommended lifting restrictions. The A DA claim proceeded to a jury
    *
    This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the
    doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court
    generally disfavors the citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order
    and judgment may be cited under the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
    trial. LeVelle prevailed, and the jury awarded him compensatory damages, back-
    pay, and punitive damages. The district court awarded LeVelle attorneys’ fees
    and costs. Penske appeals from both the judgment and the court’s award of
    attorneys’ fees. This court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to 
    28 U.S.C. § 1291
    .
    W e affirm in part, vacate in part, and remand for further proceedings not
    inconsistent with this opinion.
    II. Background
    “W hen reviewing a jury verdict, we review the record in favor of the
    prevailing party, and give that party the benefit of all reasonable inferences to be
    drawn from the evidence.” M iller v. Eby Realty Group LLC, 
    396 F.3d 1105
    , 1108
    (10th Cir. 2005) (quotation omitted). Viewed in this light, the record reveals the
    following. From 1996 to M arch 1999, and again from November 1999 to
    February 2001, LeVelle w orked for Penske delivering and installing household
    appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, and cook
    tops. LeV elle started out at Penske as a driver’s helper. Helpers were
    responsible for the “grunt work” of preparing appliances for installation and
    moving appliances from a delivery truck into customers’ homes using a dolly.
    Later, LeVelle became a driver. Drivers assessed delivery logistics, assisted the
    helper in moving appliances, disconnected old appliances, connected new
    appliances, dealt w ith paperw ork, and interacted with customers.
    -2-
    In M arch 2000, LeVelle slipped while delivering an appliance and injured
    his back. After the injury, he filed a report at work and sought medical treatment
    at the health-care provider Penske used in cases of employee injuries. LeV elle’s
    physicians told him he could not return to work. As a consequence, LeVelle did
    not work from M arch 16, 2000 until October 9, 2000. During this time, LeVelle
    underw ent physical therapy and received workers’ compensation benefits.
    In September 2000, Dr. Robert Kawasaki gave LeVelle an impairment
    assessment and functional capacity evaluation. Dr. Kawasaki determined LeVelle
    had reached maximum medical improvement, but noted LeVelle had “some
    significant limitations regarding his work capabilities.” Dr. Kawasaki
    recommended the follow ing work restrictions:
    1.     For all lifting below the shoulder level, I recommend a light
    duty category with 40 pounds maximum occasionally, 20
    pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly.
    2.     For lifting overhead I recommend 20 pounds maximum
    occasionally, 10 pounds frequently, and 5 pounds constantly.
    3.     For push and pull, I recommend 80 pounds maximum
    occasionally, 40 pounds frequently, and 20 pounds constantly.
    4.     The patient will need to alternate activities between sitting,
    standing, and walking as needed for comfort.
    App. at 693. Dr. Kawasaki also determined LeVelle had an impairment of eleven
    percent of the whole person. 1
    1
    In December 2000, LeVelle underwent a separate medical examination,
    performed by Dr. David Reinhard. Dr. Reinhard agreed with Dr. Kawasaki that
    LeVelle had reached maximum medical improvement by September 2000 and
    (continued...)
    -3-
    In October 2000, LeVelle gave his medical reports, including the
    recommended work restrictions, to Brett Carl, Penske’s logistics center manager
    at the time. LeVelle testified he and Carl discussed the doctor-recommended
    work restrictions, and LeVelle assured Carl he would be able to perform his job
    as a driver. At the conclusion of the conversation, Carl told LeVelle he could
    return to work at Penske. At first, Penske teamed LeVelle with an experienced
    driver who evaluated LeVelle’s ability to perform the job. After a week or so,
    Penske gave LeVelle his own truck and a helper, and he returned to his former
    position as a driver. LeVelle worked as a driver for Penske for the next several
    months without any problems, working approximately the same hours and making
    approximately the same number of deliveries as other Penske drivers.
    In December 2000, Penske asked LeVelle to install a set of appliances that
    had already been delivered to a customer’s house. After arriving at the job site,
    LeV elle and his helper discovered one of these appliances was a KSS refrigerator,
    a large and heavy style of refrigerator. Installation of a KSS refrigerator required
    a special type of dolly and at least one extra person. Because LeVelle did not
    have the special dolly or the extra help, he did not install the refrigerator.
    1
    (...continued)
    agreed with Dr. Kawasaki’s recommended work restrictions. Dr. Reinhard,
    however, concluded LeVelle’s impairment rating was seventeen percent of the
    whole person.
    -4-
    LeVelle’s failure to install the KSS refrigerator was, in part, the subject of
    a meeting between LeVelle and his supervisors in late January 2001. At the
    meeting, LeVelle explained to his supervisors he could not install the appliance
    because he did not have the correct dolly or the required number of people.
    LeV elle also told his supervisors he w as still working subject to doctor-
    recommended weight restrictions, and expressed to them his concern that
    installing a KSS refrigerator without the special dolly and extra help might
    adversely affect his back. LeVelle’s supervisors ended the meeting, and LeVelle
    resumed his normal duties as a driver.
    By the time of the meeting, Carolyn Jo W ard had replaced Brett Carl as
    Penske’s logistics center manager. W ard testified that, until the meeting, she was
    not aware LeV elle w as w orking subject to medical restrictions. She told the jury
    that after the meeting with LeVelle, she looked through her files and asked other
    Penske departments for information on LeVelle’s restrictions. Approximately one
    week after the meeting, W ard obtained workers’ compensation and medical
    records concerning LeVelle’s back injury and restrictions. W ard reviewed
    LeVelle’s records and discussed his situation with Penske’s risk management
    department. W ard told the jury she was concerned that if a driver who had
    already suffered an on-the-job injury returned to work, he could re-injure himself.
    On February 14, 2001, W ard called LeVelle into her office and told him he
    could not work as a driver in light of the medical restrictions placed on him by his
    -5-
    doctors. W ard assured LeVelle she w ould put him back on workers’
    compensation, even though LeVelle told W ard he was no longer eligible to
    receive workers’ compensation benefits. LeVelle testified he asked W ard whether
    he could work at Penske in some other capacity. According to LeV elle, W ard
    said she would talk to someone and let him know.
    At trial, W ard testified she did not consider employing LeVelle in any
    capacity other than as a driver and did not consider any alternative to terminating
    LeVelle’s employment with Penske. Ward also told the jury she did not ask
    anyone in her office or in the adjoining Penske division whether there was any
    light-duty work available for LeVelle. She explained she knew the operation, and
    there was no need to ask anyone else about available jobs. During her testimony,
    W ard conceded there was a vacant transportation clerk position at the time
    LeVelle was terminated, but noted she did not have approval to fill the position at
    that time.
    After W ard told LeVelle he could not work as a driver, LeVelle discovered
    an adjoining Penske division was in need of a “retail” driver. LeVelle testified
    retail drivers delivered cabinets from one loading dock to another and were not
    subject to the same physical demands as drivers who installed appliances. The
    manager of the adjoining Penske division offered LeVelle the retail driver job,
    subject to approval from Penske’s human resources department. According to
    -6-
    LeVelle, the manager later told him Penske’s human resources department would
    not allow him to have the retail driver job.
    On February 28, W ard gave LeVelle a letter informing him he was being
    placed back on workers’ compensation. LeVelle insisted he was not eligible for
    workers’ compensation and convinced W ard to look into the matter further. Ward
    called LeVelle later that day and told him he was correct, she could not place him
    back on workers’ compensation. W ard told LeVelle she had another letter for
    him, and asked him to return the first letter she had given him.
    LeVelle complied with W ard’s request, and W ard gave him the second
    letter. The new letter terminated LeVelle’s employment at Penske, effective
    M arch 1, 2001. W ard testified she terminated LeVelle because she believed his
    doctor-recommended restrictions precluded him from doing the type of heavy-
    duty work required of Penske drivers. She also stated she believed her decision
    not to allow LeVelle to work as a driver was in the interest of LeVelle’s safety, as
    well as the safety of other Penske employees.
    The letter terminating LeVelle stated, “Due to no work being available at
    this time, you are terminated effective immediately.” A pp. at 687. LeVelle told
    the jury he inquired about the wording of the letter with Terry Cooley, who
    worked in Penske’s human resources department. LeVelle explained to Cooley he
    felt the letter was misleading when Penske had terminated LeVelle due to his
    medical restrictions, not because there was no work available. Cooley told
    -7-
    LeVelle the letter would work better for him as it was written. If the letter stated
    LeV elle w as terminated because of his restrictions, Cooley said, it would interfere
    with LeVelle’s ability to get another job by letting other employees know of his
    restrictions.
    After his termination, LeVelle filed suit against Penske. LeVelle alleged
    Penske violated the ADA by terminating him because it regarded him as disabled.
    LeVelle also brought claims for racial discrimination and wrongful termination.
    The district court granted summary judgment to Penske on the racial
    discrimination and wrongful termination claims. LeV elle’s A DA claim, however,
    proceeded to a jury trial.
    A t trial, LeV elle argued he was qualified for protection under the ADA
    because the evidence showed Penske regarded him as having a disability. See 
    42 U.S.C. § 12102
    (2)(C). The jury agreed; it found LeV elle was a qualified
    individual and Penske regarded LeVelle as disabled. LeVelle also contended
    Penske violated the ADA because the evidence showed its termination of him was
    motivated by its perception that he was disabled. Again, the jury agreed, finding
    Penske intentionally discriminated against LeVelle because its perception of him
    as disabled was a motivating factor in its decision to discharge him.
    The jury awarded LeVelle compensatory damages in the amount of
    $10,000.00, back-pay in the amount of $28,500.00, and punitive damages in the
    amount of $50,000.00. LeVelle filed a M otion for Attorney’s Fees and Costs,
    -8-
    seeking fees in the amount of $111,949.50, an enhancement totaling $32,628.84,
    and $2533.74 in costs. Pursuant to Rules 50 and 59 of the Federal Rules of Civil
    Procedure, Penske moved the court to grant judgment as a matter of law or, in the
    alternative, grant a new trial or amend the verdict. It also opposed in part
    LeVelle’s motion for fees and costs. The district court denied Penske’s R ule
    50/Rule59 motion, and awarded LeVelle $111,949.50 in fees and $2533.74 in
    costs. Penske appeals from the district court’s denial of its post-trial motion. It
    also appeals the district court’s award of attorneys’ fees and costs.
    III. Analysis
    A. LeVelle’s “Regarded As” Disabled Claim
    Penske contends the district court erred in denying its motion for judgment
    as a matter or law or for a new trial on the merits of LeVelle’s ADA claim. This
    court reviews de novo a district court’s denial of a m otion for judgment as a
    matter of law. Kelly v. M etallics W., Inc., 
    410 F.3d 670
    , 674 (10th Cir. 2005).
    Judgment as a matter of law is “only proper w hen the evidence and all reasonable
    inferences to be drawn therefrom are so clear that reasonable minds could not
    differ on the conclusion.” 
    Id.
     (quotation omitted). In other words, a court may
    grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law “only if the evidence points but
    one way and is susceptible to no reasonable inferences which may support the
    opposing party’s position.” M iller v. Auto. Club of N.M ., Inc., 
    420 F.3d 1098
    ,
    1131 (10th Cir. 2005) (quotations omitted). In reviewing a district court’s denial
    -9-
    of a motion for a judgment as a matter of law , “[w]e review all the evidence in
    the record, construing it and any inferences therefrom in favor of the non-moving
    party, and refraining from making credibility determinations and weighing
    evidence.” 
    Id.
     W e review a district court’s denial of a motion for a new trial for
    abuse of discretion, viewing all the evidence in the light most favorable to the
    prevailing party. Escue v. N. Okla. Coll., 
    450 F.3d 1146
    , 1156 (10th Cir. 2006).
    “[E]ven if we do not necessarily agree with the jury’s verdict, it must be upheld
    unless it is clearly, decidedly or overwhelmingly against the weight of the
    evidence.” 
    Id. at 1157
     (quotation omitted).
    “The ADA prohibits discrimination by covered entities, including private
    employers, against qualified individuals with a disability.” Sutton v. United Air
    Lines, Inc., 
    527 U.S. 471
    , 477 (1999). Under the ADA, a person with a disability
    is defined, among other things, as an individual who is “regarded as having . . . an
    impairment” which “substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of
    such individual.” 2 
    42 U.S.C. § 12102
    (2). “[T]o establish a disability under the
    ‘regarded as’ prong of the ADA with respect to the major life activity of working,
    an individual must show [his] employer regarded him . . . as being substantially
    2
    The Supreme Court has observed an employee may fall within the
    “regarded as” prong of the ADA’s definition in two ways: his employer can
    believe he has a substantially limiting impairment that he does not actually have,
    or his employer can believe his actual impairment is substantially limiting when
    his impairment is not, in fact, substantially limiting. Sutton v. United Air Lines,
    Inc., 
    527 U.S. 471
    , 489 (1999).
    -10-
    limited in performing either a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various
    classes.” Steele v. Thiokol Corp., 
    241 F.3d 1248
    , 1256 (10th Cir. 2001)
    (quotation omitted). The employee also must show his employer’s misperceptions
    were based on myths, fears, or stereotypes associated with disabilities. Doebele
    v. Sprint/United M gmt. Co., 
    342 F.3d 1117
    , 1133 (10th Cir. 2003).
    Penske contends the jury’s verdict on LeVelle’s ADA claim cannot stand
    because LeVelle presented no evidence it regarded him as unable to perform a
    class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes. Penske also asserts
    LeVelle failed to present evidence to show its actions were based on speculation,
    myth, or stereotype. Upon review of the record as a whole, w e cannot agree with
    Penske’s argument.
    (1) Regarded As Unable to Perform a Broad Range of Jobs
    LeVelle presented evidence susceptible to reasonable inferences supporting
    his position that Penske viewed him as unable to perform a broad variety of jobs.
    According to W ard’s testimony, after she determined LeVelle could not work as a
    driver, she did not consider him for any other positions with Penske because of
    his restrictions. W ard told the jury there was a vacant transportation clerk
    position at Penske at the time LeVelle was terminated, and she defined the vacant
    job as a clerical position that did not involve heavy physical work. Although
    W ard noted she lacked approval to have the transportation clerk position filled at
    that time, she conceded she did not consider LeVelle for the job and admitted she
    -11-
    received approval to fill the position shortly after LeVelle was terminated. The
    foregoing evidence is susceptible to the reasonable inference Penske did not
    consider LeVelle for the transportation clerk position because of his medical
    restrictions.
    After learning Penske would not allow him to continue working as a driver
    delivering and installing appliances, LeVelle inquired of the manager of another
    Penske division about getting a job delivering cabinets on a route that was largely
    “retail.” LeVelle testified the retail route would have involved delivering
    cabinets from one loading dock to another, and would not have required him to
    install the cabinets. Although the cabinet delivery position would have required
    LeVelle to move boxes w eighing up to 300 pounds w ithout a helper, LeVelle told
    the jury he was physically capable of the job. LeVelle explained that by sliding a
    dolly under an appliance, tilting it to a balanced position, and rolling the
    appliance on the dolly, he could singlehandedly move heavy appliances without
    lifting them. LeV elle told the jury he believed he did not exceed his doctor-
    recommended restrictions when he used the dolly in this fashion. Penske’s human
    resources department, however, did not allow LeVelle to be hired for the cabinet
    delivery position. A jury could reasonably infer from LeVelle’s testimony that
    the cabinet delivery position was not as physically demanding as the driver
    position, that LeVelle could have performed the job without violating his medical
    -12-
    restrictions, and that Penske nonetheless refused to consider LeVelle for the
    position.
    Upon terminating LeVelle, Penske gave him a letter stating he was laid off
    because no work was available, not because he was subject to medical
    restrictions. Cooley, the Penske human resources department employee, told
    LeVelle he would be better off with the “no work available” letter and explained a
    letter revealing the existence of LeV elle’s restrictions to potential future
    employers w ould interfere with LeVelle’s ability to get another job. A jury could
    reasonably infer from this testimony that Cooley believed disclosure of LeV elle’s
    restrictions would interfere with LeVelle’s ability to get any other job, not just
    another job involving heavy physical labor.
    In short, evidence presented at trial permits the reasonable inference Penske
    regarded LeVelle as being unable to perform a wide range of jobs. Therefore, a
    jury could reasonably conclude Penske viewed LeVelle unable to perform a class
    of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes.
    (2) Action Based on M yths, Fears, or Stereotypes
    The evidence presented at trial also permits the conclusion that Penske’s
    actions were based upon myths, fears, or stereotypes about LeVelle’s perceived
    disability, not upon his actual ability to work. Penske argues it acted reasonably,
    basing its actions solely on the lifting, pulling, and pushing restrictions
    recommended by LeVelle’s physicians. As discussed above, however, LeVelle
    -13-
    presented evidence sufficient to permit the inference Penske refused to consider
    LeVelle for jobs even when LeVelle’s doctor-recommended restrictions would not
    have precluded him from performing those jobs. Based on this evidence, a jury
    could reasonably infer Penske’s actions were based upon myths, fears, or
    stereotypes about LeVelle’s perceived disability rather than an objective
    evaluation of LeVelle’s actual abilities.
    (3) Summary
    After considering the record as a whole and drawing all reasonable
    inferences in favor of LeVelle, we conclude a jury could reasonably infer Penske
    considered LeVelle unable to perform a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in
    various classes, and Penske based its actions on myths, fears, or stereotypes
    instead of on LeVelle’s actual abilities. The evidence presented at trial was
    therefore sufficient to permit the conclusion that Penske regarded LeVelle as
    disabled for purposes of the ADA. Accordingly, Penske is not entitled to
    judgment as a matter of law . For the same reasons, we conclude the district court
    did not abuse its discretion when it denied Penske’s motion for a new trial.
    B. Award of Punitive Damages
    Penske contends the district court erred in denying its motion for judgment
    as a matter of law or for a new trial on the issue of punitive damages. It claims
    there is no evidence to support the jury’s award of punitive damages. This court
    -14-
    reviews de novo whether there exists sufficient evidence to support an award of
    punitive damages. Dilley v. SuperValu, Inc., 
    296 F.3d 958
    , 966 (10th Cir. 2002).
    A court may award punitive damages to an ADA plaintiff when the plaintiff
    demonstrates the defendant “engaged in a discriminatory practice or
    discriminatory practices w ith malice or with reckless indifference to the federally
    protected rights of an aggrieved individual.” 42 U.S.C. § 1981a(b)(1); see also
    EEOC v. Wal-M art Stores, Inc., 
    187 F.3d 1241
    , 1244 (10th Cir. 1999). A
    plaintiff seeking to meet this standard need not show “egregious or outrageous
    discrimination independent of the employer’s state of mind.” Kolstad v. Am.
    Dental Ass’n, 
    527 U.S. 526
    , 535 (1999). He must, however, demonstrate the
    employer “at least discriminate[d] in the face of a perceived risk that its actions
    w[ould] violate federal law.” 
    Id. at 536
    . To demonstrate he is entitled to punitive
    damages, a plaintiff must meet a higher standard than that required to show he is
    entitled to compensatory damages. 
    Id. at 534
    . For that reason, “[t]here will be
    circumstances where intentional discrimination does not give rise to punitive
    damages liability.” 
    Id. at 536
    .
    LeVelle argues a jury could conclude Penske knew it was violating his
    rights under the ADA because Cooley, who worked in Penske’s human resources
    department, participated in LeVelle’s termination. LeVelle argues a jury could
    infer that as a human resources employee, Cooley knew federal disability law and
    thus was aware Penske’s decision to terminate LeVelle might violate the ADA.
    -15-
    As LeVelle points out, this court has determined a jury could conclude an
    employer discriminated in the face of a perceived risk that its action would
    violate federal law when the discriminating employer’s agent testified he was
    familiar w ith the ADA’s requirements when he suspended a disabled employee.
    Wal-M art Stores, 
    187 F.3d at 1246
    . In the instant case, however, LeVelle did not
    call Cooley as a witness, and the record is devoid of evidence indicating whether
    Cooley was familiar with the requirements of the ADA. Cooley’s position in
    Penske’s human resources department, standing alone, is not enough to support a
    reasonable inference Penske terminated LeVelle in the face of a perceived risk its
    actions would violate federal law.
    LeVelle claims a number of other facts suggest Penske terminated him in
    the face of a perceived risk it was violating the ADA. For example, he contends
    Penske must have been aw are its actions risked violating the A DA because W ard
    terminated him soon after she found out about his restrictions, without making
    any effort to seek updated medical information or perform an individualized
    assessment of his abilities. This evidence does not suggest Penske knew
    terminating LeV elle risked violating the A DA and therefore does not support
    LeVelle’s claim to punitive damages. LeVelle also argues Penske must have
    known terminating him risked violating the law because W ard and Cooley gave
    him a letter containing a false explanation for his termination. As noted above,
    LeVelle presented no evidence to suggest Cooley was familiar with the
    -16-
    requirements of the ADA. Similarly, W ard gave unrebutted testimony that she
    had never received training in A DA compliance. Without any evidence to suggest
    Cooley or W ard was familiar with the requirements of the ADA, the termination
    letter they gave to LeVelle, standing alone, does not permit the reasonable
    inference that Penske knew its actions risked violating the law . Finally, LeVelle
    asserts Penske’s conduct in terminating him evidenced malicious disregard of his
    federal rights. The record does not substantiate LeVelle’s claim, and we find
    LeVelle’s argument unpersuasive.
    After reviewing the record on appeal, we conclude LeVelle failed to present
    evidence that would allow a jury to find Penske discriminated in the face of a
    perceived risk its conduct would violate the A DA. Accordingly, the district court
    erred when it denied Penske’s motion for judgment as a matter of law on the issue
    of punitive damages.
    C. Award of Attorneys’ Fees
    Penske contends the district court’s award of attorneys’ fees to LeVelle was
    excessive and must be substantially reduced. This court reviews a district court’s
    award of attorneys’ fees for abuse of discretion, although the “legal analysis
    underpinning the fee award is reviewed de novo.” Praseuth v. Rubbermaid, Inc.,
    
    406 F.3d 1245
    , 1257 (10th Cir. 2005). W e conduct our review with knowledge
    that “[t]he district court has an inherent advantage in passing on a fee request
    given its familiarity with the proceedings below.” 
    Id.
     “U nless district courts are
    -17-
    specific in their reasons for awarding attorneys’ fees,” however, “we have no
    adequate basis upon which to review such awards.” Wolfe ex. rel Joseph A. v.
    N.M . Dep’t of Hum an Servs., 
    28 F.3d 1056
    , 1061 (10th Cir. 1994).
    “A party who prevails on an ADA claim is permitted recovery of attorneys’
    fees, costs and expenses.” Praseuth, 
    406 F.3d at 1257
    . As the prevailing party,
    LeVelle requested attorneys’ fees in the amount of $111,949.50 and an
    enhancement in the amount of $32,628.84. Penske conceded LeVelle was entitled
    to attorneys’ fees, but argued the court should award him less than the amount he
    requested. It argued LeVelle was not entitled to the full amount he claimed
    because, inter alia, LeVelle did not prevail on his race discrimination and
    wrongful discharge claims, he did not need two attorneys at trial, certain of his
    expenditures were excessive, and he w as not entitled to any enhancement of fees.
    The district court awarded LeVelle attorneys’ fees in the amount of
    $111,949.50, which w as the exact lodestar amount presented by LeV elle. In
    making its award, however, the district court indicated it reduced the lodestar and
    added an enhancement in arriving at $111,949.50. The court stated its award was
    based in part on an offset between a reduction in fees for limited
    inefficiencies, some vague billing entries and the lack of success on
    two of the plaintiff’s claims balanced against a limited enhancement
    of allowable fees that is justified here. Implicit in the award is the
    reasonableness of the hourly rates sought by plaintiff’s counsel.
    LeVelle v. Penske Logistics, N o. 02-F-2220 (D. Colo. April 18, 2005) (Orders O n
    Post-Trial M otions).
    -18-
    On appeal, Penske claims the district court abused its discretion by
    awarding excessive attorneys’ fees. W ithout a more particularized explanation of
    the reductions and enhancements found by the district court, however, we cannot
    determine whether the district court abused its discretion. See, e.g., Bartlett v.
    M artin M arietta Operations Support, Inc. Life Ins. Plan, 
    38 F.3d 514
    , 519 (10th
    Cir. 1994) (concluding the district court did not sufficiently explain its award of
    attorney’s fees). This court therefore remands the district court’s order on
    attorneys’ fees for more detailed findings. LeVelle’s motion for leave to file a
    sur-reply is granted.
    IV. Conclusion
    For the foregoing reasons, this court affirms the district court’s denial of
    Penske’s post-trial motion in part, vacates the district court’s award of punitive
    damages, and remands for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
    ENTERED FOR THE COURT
    M ichael R. M urphy
    Circuit Judge
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