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In Belton v. Lal Chicken, Inc., 2016 NY Slip Op 03115, 2016 WL 1629367 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. Apr. 26, 2016), the Appellate Division, First Department upheld a jury verdict of $320,000 for plaintiff on her sexual harassment (hostile work environment) claim under the New York City Human Rights Law. From the decision: Plaintiff…

Read More Court Upholds Sexual Harassment (Hostile Work Environment) Jury Verdict for Plaintiff, Citing Rejection of Unwanted Advances and Lack of “Meaningful” Anti-Discrimination Policy
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In Heffernan v. City of Paterson, No. 14-1280 (decided April 26, 2016), the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a circuit court decision that affirmed the dismissal of a police officer’s First Amendment retaliation case arising from his punishment for engaging in what was (incorrectly) perceived as protected political activity. Justice Breyer authored the opinion; Justices Thomas…

Read More SCOTUS Holds That First Amendment Retaliation Case May Continue, Despite Employer’s Incorrect Belief that Employee Engaged in Protected Political Activity
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In a recently-filed lawsuit, captioned Grant v. New York Times et al, 16-cv-03175 (filed April 28, 2016), two named plaintiffs (individually and on behalf of all similarly situated persons) allege age, race, and gender discrimination against the New York Times. From the complaint: The New York Times, widely touted as the “paper of record,” has…

Read More Age, Race, Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against the New York Times
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This week, in Legg v. Ulster Cty., No. 14-3636, 2016 WL 1637993 (2d Cir. Apr. 26, 2016), the Second Circuit reinstated a pregnancy discrimination claim brought by an Ulster County Corrections Officer. Plaintiff argued that the defendant County “unlawfully discriminated against her on the basis of her pregnancy when it denied her request for an accommodation under…

Read More Second Circuit Reinstates Pregnancy Discrimination Claim in Light of Young v. UPS
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Motta v. Glob. Contract Servs. Inc., No. 15 CIV. 8555 (LGS), 2016 WL 1611489 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 21, 2016) is instructive on the “aiding and abetting” liability provisions of the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) and New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL). Plaintiffs worked as call center representatives at Global Contract Services, Inc.…

Read More Access-A-Ride Call Center Employees Fail to Sufficiently Allege “Aiding and Abetting” Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment, and Retaliation Claims Against the NYCTA and MTA
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In Quintavalle v. Perez, 2016 NY Slip Op 03126 (App. Div. 1st Dept. April 26, 2016) (a car accident/pedestrian knockdown case) the court held that a pedestrian struck from behind was, as a matter of law, not comparatively negligent (for failing to notice an avoid a vehicle that struck him from behind) and entitled to summary judgment…

Read More Hit-From-Behind Pedestrian Entitled to Summary Judgment in Car Accident Case
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In Bennett v. Time Warner Cable, 2016 NY Slip Op 03103 (App. Div. 1st Dept. April 26, 2016), the court affirmed the lower court’s denial of defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claims under the New York State and City Human Rights Laws for age discrimination based on a theory of “disparate impact.” The Second Circuit,…

Read More Disparate Impact Age Discrimination Claims Sufficiently Alleged Under NYS and NYC Human Rights Laws
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In Styka v. My Merchants Services LLC et al (EDNY 14-cv-6198 (March 15, 2016)), an employment discrimination/sexual harassment/hostile work environment/retaliation case, Eastern District of New York Magistrate Judge Scanlon recommended awarding plaintiff $120,000 to compensate her for emotional distress (in addition to other damages, such as back pay and punitive damages) following defendants’ default. This case…

Read More Court Recommends Award of $120,000 in Emotional Distress Damages in Gender Discrimination/Hostile Work Environment/Sexual Harassment Case
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In Drice v. My Merch. Servs., LLC, 2016 WL 1266866 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 4, 2016), Eastern District of New York Magistrate Judge Go recommended that plaintiff be awarded (among other damages) $20,000 for emotional distress. (Judge Brodie adopted the Magistrate’s report at 2016 WL 1266948 (E.D.N.Y. Mar. 31, 2016)). The below excerpts are from the Magistrate’s report and recommendation.…

Read More Court Awards Sexual Harassment Plaintiff Emotional Distress Damages of $20,000 Following Defendants’ Default
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