A Suffolk County jury recently awarded a Haitian–American nurse an unprecedented $28.2 million in total damages on her claim of retaliation against Brigham & Women’s Hospital, her former employer. At the same time, the jury rejected the nurse’s claim of
Litigators at Work
J-LAW: Providing insight on employment litigation issues and trends that affect how employers do business
Litigators at Work, published by Jackson Lewis P.C., focuses on employment law litigation and related workplace legal issues. The blog covers topics such as sexual harassment laws, whistleblower protections, discrimination claims including those based on gender identity, arbitration agreements enforcement, and compliance with evolving state and federal employment regulations. It also addresses practical employer concerns like workplace investigations, disability and leave management, wage and hour compliance, and employee rights under various statutes. The content is aimed at attorneys and HR professionals seeking updates and analysis on litigation trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in employment law.
Latest from Litigators at Work - Page 9
Jury Award of Emotional Distress Damages Must Be Reduced by Millions, Judge Rules
A federal judge in New York has ruled that a plaintiff could recover only a small portion of the $2.5 million a jury awarded him, granting the defendant’s request for the reduction. Saber v. New York State Department of Financial…
Illinois Jury Rejects Transgender Worker’s Discrimination Claim
A federal jury in Illinois has rejected a transgender employee’s claim that she was discriminated against and illegally fired after she told her employer that she was transitioning.
In 2016, the EEOC filed a lawsuit against Rent-A-Center East, Inc.,…
Restaurant Chain’s Spoiled Internal Investigation Leads to $8M Jury Award for Fired Employee
A Fresno, California jury has awarded nearly $8 million to former Chipotle employee Jeanette Ortiz on her claim of wrongful discharge.
The jury found Chipotle had fired Ortiz in retaliation for her filing a worker’s compensation claim of carpal tunnel…
Jury Enters Sexual Harassment Verdict in Favor of Plaintiff; Awards No Damages
A jury in the Northern District of Georgia recently entered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff in a sexual harassment case, yet awarded her no damages.
In Furcron v. Mail Centers Plus, LLC, a former mailroom clerk, Myra Furcron,…
Reward for Highest Score: No Promotion, But $1.2 Million Jury Verdict
A long-time New Jersey police department employee applies for a promotion to captain. On the promotional exam, he scores higher than any other applicant. He isn’t promoted. His consolation prize, however, is a jury verdict of more than $1.2 million…
Well-Documented Investigation and Carefully Written Policies Give Win to School District Against Discrimination, Retaliation Claims
Following nearly 10 days of witness testimony, a jury in Denton, Texas, has ruled in favor of the Denton Independent School District (ISD), and rejected an ISD para-professional’s claim that he was fired in retaliation for complaining about discrimination.…
Ignorance of Interplay between FMLA and ADA Can Be Costly To Employers
One mistake often made by employers is assuming that after an employee has exhausted his or her 12 weeks of protected Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, the employer’s obligation is fulfilled. While this may satisfy the employer’s medical leave…
Wisconsin Jury Rejects Fired Jail Officer’s Claims of Discrimination and Retaliation
A case involving a former jail officer shows how keeping detailed, contemporaneous records of complaints of discrimination and unfair treatment can help defend against employee claims.
A federal jury in Wisconsin rejected a former jail officer’s claim that her termination was…
OSHA Says Lawsuits Constitute Adverse Action Too
Not only is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continuing to crack down on employers suspected of retaliating against employees who blow the whistle and will not hesitate to pursue litigation on behalf of employees, OSHA considers lawsuits against…