$3.8 Million Awarded to California Employee in Racial Discrimination Case
Another California employee has been awarded millions of dollars as a result of harassment and retaliation in the workplace.
James Duffy began working for the City of Los Angeles in 1991. For ten years, he maintained a mutually beneficial employment relationship at the Department of Recreation and Parks, even being promoted to a full-time employee in 1995. In 2001, Mr. Abel Perez became Mr. Duffy’s supervisor, at which point Mr. Duffy’s employment took a turn for the worse. Under his new supervisor, Mr. Duffy suffered discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on his race and a disability.
Mr. Duffy endured this treatment, which included being assigned undesirable duties in bad locations, not being assigned assistants, and being systematically passed up for promotions. Mr. Perez stole and hid Duffy’s tools so that he could not complete his tasks, and even drove by Duffy’s assigned parks to insult and ridicule him as he worked. Even though Duffy reported the circumstances to his superiors, they did not prevent the harassment and discrimination from continuing, but instead only provoked retaliation.
In 2010, Mr. Duffy was ‘constructively discharged’ in an early retirement incentive program offered by the city. However, he soon talked to a California employment attorney and learned that he had far more to gain than a severance package. Duffy filed a civil lawsuit against the city and three of its supervisors in 2011, claiming that he had suffered years of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. In 2013, a jury found in his favor to the tune of $3,255,000.
Although the city appealed the verdict, the California court of appeal for the second appellate district upheld the decision and award in June of 2015. Bringing the matter to a conclusion, the Los Angeles City Council voted just this month to pay Mr. Duffy nearly $3.8 million dollars, including the initial award, his costs on appeal, and accrued interest.
If you feel that you, or someone you work with may have been the victim of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or even wrongful termination at the hands of your employer, your immediate action is vital. Whether you are the target of this behavior on account of your race, your gender, or even a disability, call Stephen Danz & Associates the leading California Racial Discrimination Lawyer for a free consultation to discuss your individual circumstances and options. Having the right California employment law attorney fighting for your rights is never a bad idea! We have the attorneys, the experience, and the integrity to protect your rights, but time is of the essence! Call now!