Media Links
Murray v Dr Pepper Snapple press conference
Nine African American warehouse employees filed suit alleging that they were subjected to a racially hostile work environment. The Plaintiffs claim that their Hispanic supervisors called them monkey and donkey and used the "n" word frequently. The Plaintiffs also testified in the litigation that they observed racially offensive graffiti on their lockers. Most of the Plaintiffs are still employed by the company, and their lawsuit remains pending. See the press conference here.
McDonnell v Rosebud news story
Jill McDonnell was only a few years out of college when she went to work for Rosebud Restaurants, Inc. initially as a server for Carmine's on Rush Street. Later, Ms. McDonnell became an Assistant Manager at the company's Ballo location, later known as Rosebud Trattoria. During the course of her employment, the Chief Executive Officer of Rosebud told her "don't go getting pregnant because that's the fastest way to lose your job." On August 28, 2009, Ms. McDonnell advised her supervisor that she was pregnant. The next business day she lost her job. Ms. McDonnell sued the company for pregnancy discrimination – she later settled for a confidential sum. See the CBS-2 story here.
Irish v Jewel news story
Two African American employees currently employed by Jewel Food Stores, Inc. contend that they were subjected to years of racial insults by their Hispanic co-workers. They claim that on several occasions, they found racially offensive graffiti on their lockers. They complained to their supervisors, but management failed to take any prompt conduct to remedy the problem. They are still currently employed by the company, and their lawsuit remains pending. See the CBS-2 story here.
Carroll v APS news story
Three African American asbestos workers, Andre Carroll, Marvin Carroll, Eric Byrd and one mechanic, Michael Templeton, all worked for Atlantic Plant Services, Inc. and heard an earful – an earful of racial slurs. The workers claimed that their supervisor, Wayne Staack, routinely used the "n" word in the workplace, called them "undercover brothers," and posted offensive cartoons on a company bulletin board. The workers alleged that they complained, but that APS took no remedial measures. They filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that they were subjected to a racially hostile work environment. They later settled for a confidential sum. See the CBS-2 story here.
Hall v. Nalco Co.
Cheryl Hall was a sales secretary employed by Nalco. In 2003, she requested a leave of absence to undergo in vitro fertilization, (“IVF”). The first treatment was unsuccessful, and Hall tried again. In July, 2003, Nalco terminated her employment. Hall filed suit alleging that she was illegally fired in violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. A federal judge in Chicago dismissed her claim, but on appeal, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, reversed, holding that infertility treatments are covered under federal law.
- Wall Street Journal article
- Business Insurance article
- Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article
- Chicago Sun Times article
- Indiana Lawyer article
- The Northwest Indiana Times article
Ibarra v. Pactiv Corporation
Luis Ibarra, Sr. was an ironworker employed by Midwest Fence Corporation. When he attempted to position a gate that the company was installing at a jobsite, it came in contact with an overhead powerline. Mr. Ibarra suffered electrical burns over 60% of his body. He settled his personal injury case for $3.5 million.
Holomshek v. Father Joseph Fitzharris and The Archdiocese of Chicago
Robert Holomshek was an altar boy at St. Francis Xavier school in Chicago. He claimed that Father Joseph Fitzharris repeatedly sexually molested him when he was a child. The case settled for $875,000.
Bondie v. Woodlawn Development Co.
Christine Bondie was a plumber employed by Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. She claimed that she was retaliated against after she gave a damaging deposition against her employer in a wrongful death case:
Buffone v. Rosebud Restaurants, Inc.
Kristine Buffone was a hostess employed by Rosebud Restaurants, Inc. She was discharged after she announced that she was pregnant and went out on Family and Medical Leave. The jury returned a verdict of $380,000 in damages:
Stamm v. Prochnow
David Stamm went snowmobiling with three of his friends in Troy, Wisconsin. When Stamm, the leader, could not find the rest of his group, he went to a designated meeting spot to find his friends. One of his friends left the marked trail and jumped a hill, colliding into Stamm. Stamm suffered multiple fractures and other injuries. Stamm went to trial and obtained a net jury verdict of $570,000, a Wisconsin state record.
Pietrusynski v. McClier Corporation
Tim and Alan Pietruszynski claimed that they were fired after they testified in their brother's worker's compensation case. A trial judge dismissed their retaliatory discharge case and they appealed. The Illinois Appellate Court reversed, and held that their testimony in the worker's compensation case was protected activity and was actionable.
Swiech v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital
Shirley Swiech was a 20 year employee of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. She suffered from lupus and depression, and claimed that she was subjected to a hostile work environment because of her disability and was unlawfully constructively discharged from her job. A jury agreed and awarded her $1.45 million.
Beckway v. Lieb
Peter Beckway was a Ph.D. candidate in English literature until his hand picked doctoral committee refused to allow him to complete his examinations for his degree. He sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress.