Outrageous behavior equals Huge Verdict

Outrageous behavior converts to one of the largest sexual harassment verdicts in America, $168 million.

In a March 2, 2012 article by Ejoli Francis it is reported that Ani Chopourian won close to $168 million in a sexual harassment suit against a Sacramento, California hospital, perhaps the largest victory in U.S. history for a sexual harassment suit brought by a single employee.

A federal court jury awarded the 45-year-old former cardiac surgery physician assistant $125 million in punitive damages, $39 million for mental anguish and $3.5 million for lost wages and benefits. The award came nearly four years after she claimed she was terminated for filing complaints repeatedly to the hospital's human resources department. Chopourian said she was tormented and sexually harassed by surgeons and the medical staff in the cardiac surgery center at Mercy General from 2006 to 2008. She said that one surgeon stuck her with a needle, called her a "stupid chick" and said she did surgery "like a girl."

One harasser told Chopourian one day, 'You'll give in to me,'" Chopourian is reported to have told ABC News affiliate KXTV in Sacramento. "I'd look at him [and say] 'I'll never give in to you.' I'd look at my supervisor and say 'Do something.' They'd just laugh."

In a two-year period Chopourian filed about 18 written complaints covering patient safety to sexual harassment to the fact that meals and break rules were not being followed. Her last filed complaint was received by human resources July 31, 2008. She was terminated Aug. 7, 2008.

After Chopourian was released from Mercy in 2008, she kept her physician assistant privileges at the hospital and started working for a new doctor in gynecologic oncology. Several months into her new job, Mercy denied Chopourian's privileges and she lost her job. Educated at UCLA and Yale, Chopourian has been unemployed for 2.5 years. Having her privileges denied rendered her unemployable.

For more information on sexual harassment see www.SexualHarassmentPro.com 

(Source: ABC News affiliate KXTV in Sacramento.)

See also: http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/168-million-awarded-woman-harassed-raunchy-

cardiac-surgery/story?id=15835342

95 MILLION DOLLAR VERDICT IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

95 MILLION DOLLAR VERDICT IN SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

New York Daily News and Reuters.

The harassment began in St. Louis in 2005, according to the New York Daily News.

Richard Moore, the store manager of the branch, nicknamed Alford "Trixie." He then groped Ashley’s breasts, commented about her looks, according to Reuters.

The harassment culminated in 2006 when Ashley was in the back stockroom when Moore came up to her, removed his genitals from his pants and then hit her top of the head with his penis according to Reuters. A month later, he then harassed her by pushing her down onto a sofa, lifting up her shirt and masturbating on top of her.

Alford says she called the company sexual harassment hotline but that her message was never returned, reports Reuters. Ashley sued Aaron's in 2008.

Companies can be liable for the sexual harassment conducted by their employees if they have knowledge or should have knowledge that sexual harassment is taking place but they take no steps to prevent or safeguard their employees from the harassment.

Alford said that she called the company's sexual harassment hotline. As a result, the message she left would have informed her employer about the sexual harassment and the company should have done something to help rectify the situation - like fire Moore.

For Aaron's, a sexual harassment lawsuit has led to a $95 million verdict - though Alford's former attorney says that due to federal caps on damages, the damages award will likely be reduced to around $40 million, reports the New York Daily News.

This is just one example of the type of judgment a company can face if it doesn’t take sexual harassment complaints seriously. Companies should have a Zero Tolerance for such behavior.

(Sources: New York Daily News and Reuters).

For More Information about this and other cases visit www.sexualharassmentpro.com