Sexual Harassment - Injury Law Blog http://injurylaw.labovick.com/articles/sexual-harassment-1/ en-us Copyright 2008 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:57:01 -0500 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:34:28 -0500 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss University Settles Harrassment Suit for $225,000 Harassment suits can be difficult to prove at times. However, there are times when the evidence in a case can't be refuted or ignored. Take for instance a recent case mentioned in an article by Randy Ludlow of the Columbus Dispatch. The case involves Ohio University settling an outstanding sexual harassment suit brought by a student against a former professor for $225,000. According to a University spokesperson, Joe Brennan, the former student, who has since graduated, will receive $100,000 from the university and $125,000 from its insurer.  The student informed the University of the professor's unwelcome advances in 2003.  In 2005, the professor was suspended and later resigned during the investigation. University officials later concluded that the professor  "engaged in a pervasive pattern of questionable conduct" over several years that involved more than one student. 

Reportedly, Ohio University settled another unrelated sexual-harassment case, for $350,000 in 2005 to a student who said she was coerced into posing topless by a former director of the School of Visual Communication.

Hopefully, these cases will send a stern warning to members of the Academic Community that sexual harassment claims are taken seriously.



 

]]> http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2007/12/articles/sexual-harassment-1/university-settles-harrassment-suit-for-225000/ http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2007/12/articles/sexual-harassment-1/university-settles-harrassment-suit-for-225000/ Ohio UniversitySexual Harassment Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:57:01 -0500 Juliet@LaBovick.com (LaBovick Law) Sexual Harrassment Victim awarded $11.6 Million in Jury Verdict It did not take long for the federal jury to determine damages in the sexual harassment case between a former executive of the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden, including coach Isiah Thomas. The jury came back with a  verdict of $11.6 million for Anucha Browne Sanders that covers compensatory and punitive damages from Madison Square Garden, former employer of Ms. Sanders.

Coach Isiah Thomas received a brief reprieve in the sense that the jury did not require him to pay any of the damages. The jury earlier found him guilty of sexual harassment in the earlier phase of the trial. The former employer, Madison Square Garden was ordered to pay the sexual harassment victim, y $6 million for subjecting Ms. Sanders to a hostile work environment and another $2.6 million for firing her in retaliation. Mr. James L. Dolan, Madison Square Garden Chairman and CEO of Parent Company,Cablevison. The jury ordered that Mr. Dolan pay $3 million for the retaliation. In his testimony, Mr. Dolan said that he alone made the decision to fire Ms. Sanders.

The Cablevision stock took a hit on Monday, when the verdict of the punitive damages came down. The stock is currently trading at $34.61, which is down from the $35.06 it was trading at on Monday before the punitive damages were awarded by the jury. 

However, Ms. Sanders is not guaranteed that she will receive the $10 million in compensatory  damages her legal team is asking for.  According to a Newsday article, Garden City attorney Jim Ryan, who specializes in sexual harassment litigation, "There is a pretty good chance that this kind of case gets settled." Fortunately for Ms. Sanders, U.S. District Court Judge Gerard Lynch has the final say regarding compensatory damages. Over the next few weeks, he will determine if  Ms.Sanders is entitled to more than $10 million in compensatory damages, which includes $600,000 in back pay and $9.6 million for projected pay, damaged reputation and lost benefits. Time will tell, who will win the next round. Stay tuned...

This large jury verdict in the Madison Square garden case sends an important message to companies about sexual harassment claims. A victim should not be ignored by a company or made to feel guilty about coming forward to report claims to management. Management should take the necessary steps in making an investigation and handling the victim with professionalism and dignity. If not, there could huge fines and fees awarded by a jury that could cost the company possibly millions of dollars.

Click here to read more from the New York Times or Newsday

]]> http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2007/10/articles/sexual-harassment-1/sexual-harrassment-victim-awarded-116-million-in-jury-verdict/ http://injurylaw.labovick.com/2007/10/articles/sexual-harassment-1/sexual-harrassment-victim-awarded-116-million-in-jury-verdict/ Anucha SandersCablevisionGerard LynchIsiah ThomasJames DolanMadison Square GardenNew York KnicksSexual Harassment Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:09:19 -0500 Juliet@LaBovick.com (LaBovick Law)