Discrimination

Jury Awards Ex-UPS Driver Over $237 Million in Historic Racial Discrimination Case

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Yakima, Wash. — A former United Parcel Service (UPS) driver was awarded more than $237 million in damages by a Yakima jury, marking possibly the largest such award for a discrimination case in Washington state history. The verdict reflects both compensatory and punitive damages for the plaintiff, Tahvio Gratton, who alleged racial discrimination and a hostile work environment during his tenure with the company. The legal proceedings, held at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington on Thursday, concluded with Gratton receiving $39.6 million for emotional distress and an additional $198 million … Read more

Alabama University to Pay $4 Million After Jury Finds Discrimination Against Iranian Cancer Researcher

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Birmingham, Ala. – An Iranian-born cancer researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was awarded a hefty sum in a discrimination lawsuit after enduring years of harassment that escalated to threats with a firearm. The federal jury ruled that the university should compensate Fariba Moeinpour with $3 million, while her colleague, found to have harassed her, must pay nearly $1 million in both compensatory and punitive damages. Moeinpour, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Iran, began her tenure at the university in 2011, working in a cancer research lab. She claimed that the harassment started … Read more

Court Reduces $20M Racial Discrimination Verdict to $1.5M Against Medical Company

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Los Angeles — A recent legal decision has significantly reduced a racial discrimination verdict involving a well-known medical company, slicing the punitive damages awarded from $20 million to just $1.5 million. The case, concluding at the United States District Court for the Central District of California, has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding race-related employment discrimination litigations. The lawsuit was initially filed by a Black former employee of the corporation, who accused the company of discriminatory practices, including racially biased comments from supervisors, and a lack of promotion opportunities compared to similarly qualified white colleagues. … Read more

Federal Judge Slashes $20.5 Million Award in Pennsylvania Workplace Discrimination Case

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Harrisburg, Pa. – A federal judge has significantly reduced a $20.5 million jury award to $3 million in a workplace discrimination case that originally found a Pennsylvania state employee was subjected to a racially hostile work environment. The initial decision, which came after careful consideration by the jury, was later adjusted due to legal limitations on punitive damages. The case involved Marvell L. Green, an employee at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, who alleged he faced relentless racial discrimination from his co-workers. Reported incidents included derogatory remarks and intolerable working conditions, leading to the jury’s … Read more