In a recent lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court, captioned Germain v. David Bouley LLC et al (Index No. 160184/2015, filed 10/2/15), plaintiff alleges that she was subjected to a hostile work environment based on sex and constructive discharge in violation of the NYS and NYC Human Rights Laws. Among other things, plaintiff…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against David BouleyA recent Southern District decision, Villar v. City of New York, No. 09-CV-7400 DAB, 2015 WL 5707125 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2015), illustrates how a plaintiff can overcome summary judgment on a gender discrimination claim by demonstrating that a defendant’s proffered legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the discriminatory act is a “pretext” for discrimination. Plaitniff, a Hispanic…
Read More Wrongful Termination Gender Discrimination Claim Against NYPD Survives Summary JudgmentIn Szwalla v. Time Warner Cable, LLC, No. 3:13-CV-713 MAD/DEP, 2015 WL 5708538 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2015), the court explained and applied the so-called “Faragher-Ellerth” affirmative defense to a hostile work environment claim. In this case, plaintiff (an account executive for the Time Warner defendants) alleged that defendants engaged in sexual harassment, subjected her to a…
Read More Court Applies “Faragher-Ellerth” Defense to Dismiss Plaintiff’s Sexual Harassment/Hostile Work Environment Title VII ClaimIn a recent lawsuit, captioned Anil v. Cipriani USA, Inc. (SDNY 15-cv-7430 filed 9/22/15), plaintiff alleges that while working at Cipriani she was subjected to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, and retaliation after complaining about the treatment she endured. She alleges, for example, that her immediate supervisor asked plaintiff if she wanted to…
Read More Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against CiprianiIn McCall v. Genpak, LLC, No. 13-CV-1947 KMK, 2015 WL 5730352 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 30, 2015), the court denied defendants’ summary judgment motion on plaintiff’s race discrimination and hostile work environment claims. Race Discrimination Based on “Adverse Action” Plaintiff alleged that he was subjected to two adverse employment actions – demotion and termination – because of…
Read More Plaintiff Survives Summary Judgment on Race Discrimination, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation ClaimsIn a recent race discrimination lawsuit, captioned Li’Gon v. ASPCA, SDNY 15-07686 (filed Sept. 29, 2015), plaintiff Benjamin Li’Gon alleges that the defendant terminated him because of his race, gender, and sexual orientation. Plaintiff, who is a gay black man, alleges (among other things) that “ASPCA cultivated a work environment in which it allowed its…
Read More “Sexual Chocolate” Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit Against ASPCAIn Britt v. Thermald Realty I, LP, No. 13 CIV. 8289 KPF, 2015 WL 4922977 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 18, 2015), the court dismissed the plaintiff’s claims of “quid pro quo” and “hostile work environment” sexual harassment, as well as his retaliation claim. In sum, plaintiff – a superintendent for East Village property owner Thermald Realty – alleged that…
Read More Court Dismisses Superintendent’s Sexual Harassment ClaimsIn Garnett v. Strike Holdings LLC, 2015 NY Slip Op 06694 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Sept. 1, 2015), plaintiff was injured while riding in a two-seat go-kart; “[w]hile driving on the track, they were allegedly bumped twice by other go-karts, allegedly causing injuries to plaintiff, including ‘Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy.’” Defendant moved for summary judgment, on the ground…
Read More Injured Go-Kart Rider Assumed Risk of Being Bumped; Negligence Case DismissedGenerally, by bringing a personal injury lawsuit a plaintiff waives the physician-patient privilege, but only with respect to medical records relevant to the injuries for which compensation is sought. This point is illustrated by the decision today in Kenneh v. Jey Livery Serv., 2015 NY Slip Op 06993 (App. Div. 1st Dept. Sept. 29, 2015), in which the…
Read More Defendants Not Entitled to Medical Records Relating to Preexisting Diabetic Condition in Car Accident Personal Injury CaseIn Stevens v. Rite Aid Corp., No. 6:13-CV-783, 2015 WL 5602949 (N.D.N.Y. Sept. 23, 2015), a disability discrimination case, plaintiff – a pharmacist working for Rite Aid – alleged that defendant violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the New York State Human Rights Law by discharging him because of his disability (trypanophobia), failing to provide him…
Read More Court Upholds Disability Discrimination Jury Verdict For for Needle-Fearing Pharmacist