In a recent case, Medina v. La Oficina of Queens, Inc., No. 508369/2016, 2023 WL 5277718 (N.Y. Sup Ct, Kings County Aug. 14, 2023), the court awarded the plaintiff (on default) $30,000 in damages for her emotional distress arising from alleged sexual harassment. The court’s analysis is instructive as to how courts assess these damages…
Read More Sexual Harassment Plaintiff Awarded $30,000 in Emotional Distress DamagesIn Emanuel v. Gap, Inc. et al, 2023 WL 5211007 (S.D.N.Y. August 14, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment as to plaintiffs’ race discrimination claims. In sum, plaintiffs argue that they were terminated for engaging in alleged misconduct (modifying employee timecards) while a caucasian employee (Kolibabek) suffered only a reprimand.…
Read More Race-Based Discrimination Claims Survive Summary Judgment; Allegations Included Disparate DisciplineIn M.H. v. Starbucks Coffee Company, 2023 WL 5211023 (S.D.N.Y. August 13, 2023), the court granted defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim of a sex-based hostile work environment asserted under the New York State Human Rights Law. Here, plaintiff, while 17 years old, was raped by her shift supervisor (Justin Mariani) at defendant Starbucks; Mariani…
Read More Court Dismisses NYS Human Rights Law Complaint Against Starbucks Arising From Rape of Teen Barista by SupervisorIn Battle v. Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, 2023 WL 4868458 (M.D.N.C. July 31, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s race-based hostile work environment claim. Comprising plaintiff’s claim were several alleged racially derogatory comments, including that “all dark-skin blacks stink”, and comparing Michelle Obama to a “monkey.”…
Read More Race-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim Survives Summary JudgmentIn Caputo v. Iesi NY Corp., No. 150594/2018, 2023 WL 5167701 (N.Y. Sup Ct, New York County Aug. 11, 2023), the court held that summary judgment was inappropriate on plaintiff’s claims of discrimination and retaliation. From the decision: Here, issues of fact preclude summary judgment on all claims related to discrimination and retaliation. Plaintiff and…
Read More Summary Judgment on Disability Discrimination, Retaliation Claims Not Warranted in Light of Conflicting Interpretations of EvidenceIn Blumstein-Torrella v. New York City Department of Education et al, 19-cv-3492 (ALC), 2023 WL 5097873 (S.D.N.Y. August 9, 2023), the court, inter alia, dismissed plaintiff’s claims for religious discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law, and the New York City Human Rights Law.…
Read More Religious Discrimination Claims Dismissed Against the NYC Department of EducationIn Brown v. Metropolitan Dental Associates et al, 2023 WL 5154415 (S.D.N.Y. August 10, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s pregnancy discrimination claim asserted under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. From the decision: Here, the same evidence that raised factual issues with respect to…
Read More “He Said, She Said” Pregnancy Discrimination Claim Survives Summary JudgmentIn Brouillard v Sunrun, No. 2020-03610, 518516/19, 2023 N.Y. Slip Op. 04184, 2023 WL 5063992 (N.Y.A.D. 2 Dept., Aug. 09, 2023), the court affirmed the lower court’s denial of defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s claim of disability discrimination in violation of the New York City Human Rights Law. The court summarized the facts as follows:…
Read More Job Offer Rescission Following Positive Marijuana Test Stated Claim Under NYC, But Not NYS, Disability Discrimination LawIn Culley v. West Bolivar Consolidated School District et al, 2023 WL 5007871 (N.D.Miss. August 4, 2023), the court, inter alia, denied defendant’s motion for summary judgment on plaintiff’s quid pro quo sexual harassment claim. The court summarized and applied the law as follows: Sex discrimination and sexual harassment in public employment violate the Equal…
Read More Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment Claim Survives Summary Judgment; Termination Followed Rebuff of Alleged Sexual AdvancesIn Hafizov v. BDO USA, LLP, 22-CV-8853 (JPC) (RWL), 2023 WL 4697312 (S.D.N.Y. July 24, 2023), the court denied plaintiff’s motion to amend their complaint to add a retaliation claim. In a somewhat unique fact pattern, plaintiff alleges retaliation in the form of a deficiency letter sent by defendants’ counsel: Plaintiff’s proposed additional amendment seeks…
Read More Attorney Deficiency Letter Did Not Constitute an “Adverse Employment” Action