November 2017

In Estevez v. S & P Sales and Trucking LLC et al, 17-cv-1733, 2017 WL 5635933 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 22, 2017), the court held that plaintiff sufficiently alleged a race discrimination claim under 42 U.S.C. 1981. In sum, plaintiff – a male of Hispanic race and Dominican national origin – was terminated by defendants, allegedly on…

Read More Race & National Origin Discrimination Claims Sufficiently Pled; Complaint Sufficiently Alleged That Defendants Treated a Similarly Situated Employee in Different Racial Group More Favorably Than Plaintiff
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In Keceli v. Yonkers Racing Corp., 2017 NY Slip Op 08359, 2017 WL 5762297 (N.Y.A.D. 2 Dept. Nov. 29, 2017), the Appellate Division, Second Department affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation claims under the New York State Human Rights Law. As to plaintiff’s sexual orientation discrimination claim, the court explained the law,…

Read More 2d Dept. Affirms Dismissal of Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Retaliation Claims Under the NYS Human Rights Law
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In Eng v. City of New York, 17-1308, 2017 WL 5438877 (2d Cir. Nov. 14, 2017) (Summary Order), the court affirmed the dismissal of, inter alia,[1]The court also affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s claims under the Equal Pay Act and the New York City Human Rights Law. plaintiff’s employment discrimination claims under the New York State…

Read More NYS Human Rights Law Claims Fail Under Federal Pleading Standard
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The court in Feliz v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 2017 WL 5593517 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 17, 2017) dismissed plaintiff’s employment discrimination (failure-to-promote) case. In sum, the plaintiff (a Hispanic male Police Officer employed by the MTA Police Department) argued that he applied for, and was denied, an internal promotion as a result of discrimination on the basis…

Read More Court Dismisses MTA Police Officer’s Gender & National Origin Discrimination Claims as Insufficiently Pleaded
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In Kenney v. State of New York, Office of Children and Family Services, 16-cv-4522, 2017 WL 5633166 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 20, 2017), the court dismissed plaintiff’s “quid pro quo” sexual harassment claim.[1]In the same opinion, the court denied defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s “hostile work environment” claim; I discussed that aspect of the decision…

Read More Court Dismisses “Quid Pro Quo” Sexual Harassment Claim; Tangible Employment Action Missing
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In Kenney v. State of New York, Office of Children and Family Services, 16-cv-4522, 2017 WL 5633166 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 20, 2017), the court granted in part and denied in part defendants’ motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s sexual harassment claims. In sum, plaintiff asserted claims of “hostile work environment” and “quid pro quo” sexual harassment…

Read More Hostile Work Environment Claim, Arising From Conduct of Non-Supervisor Co-Worker, Survives Summary Judgment
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From Davis v. NYC Dept. of Corrections et al, 17-cv-3863, 2017 WL 5634123 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 22, 2017): Plaintiff fails to state a claim under the ADA. “[T]he [C]omplaint alleges no facts indicating that [Plaintiff’s] PTSD … impaired any life activities,” Soules v. Town of Oxford, 669 F. App’x 54, 56 (2d Cir. 2016), nor does…

Read More PTSD Not Shown to Impair any “Major Life Activities”; ADA Disability Discrimination Claim Dismissed
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In O’Connell v. Macy’s Corporate Services, Inc., 154 A.D.3d 628 (N.Y.A.D. 1 Dept. Oct. 31, 2017), the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed the lower court’s dismissal of plaintiff’s personal injury claim against Macy’s. In sum, plaintiff alleges that on or about November 28, 2013, she was struck by an all terrain-vehicle driven by the Defendant Jeff Stanton.…

Read More Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Handler Volunteer’s Injury Claim Properly Dismissed in Light of Release
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In Martinez v. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 2017 WL 5592281 (2d Cir. Nov. 21, 2017), the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of plaintiff’s Title VII race-based pay discrimination and retaliation claims. (Here I’ll focus on the court’s evaluation of plaintiff’s retaliation claim.) The court explained the legal requirements for making out a retaliation claim:…

Read More Finding Causation Lacking, 2d Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Retaliation Claim Against Davis Polk & Wardwell
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In Chauca v. Abraham, 2017 NY Slip Op 08158, 2017 WL 5557932 (N.Y. Nov. 20, 2017), the New York Court of Appeals – answered a certified question from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit – regarding the appropriate standard applicable for when punitive damages may be awarded under the New York City Human…

Read More New York’s Highest Court Clarifies Standard for Punitive Damages Under the New York City Human Rights Law
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