Racial and Religious Discrimination:
My Client was a 39 year old plumber for the City of Detroit. He was harassed by his co-workers when he refused to participate in their "prayer sessions". After complaining to management, the co-workers retaliated against him by throwing racial and religious slurs at him. As the harassment increased, he continued to report the discrimination and harassment. He eventually suffered an on the job injury and filed a lawsuit. The case was tried to conclusion in Wayne County. My Client was awarded $550,000.00 in emotional distress damages and he was granted a full disability retirement in excess of $30,000.00 per year.
Racial Discrimination:
My Client was a part-time janitor for The Salvation Army. He had only been on the job two years earning $200.00 per week. During the course of his employment he was subjected to racial and derogatory insults. He took a short leave of absence caused by the stress. When he attempted to return to the job, his supervisor, a white Minister, insisted that he explain his absence. After he told her that he had taken the leave due to stress from the harassment, including her behavior, she refused to accept his Doctor's return to work slip. After three unsuccessful attempts to return, he gave up and found another job. The case was tried before an all white jury in Washtenaw County. Despite the overwhelming number of adverse witnesses, the Jury entered an award in favor of my Client. With costs and attorney fees a Judgment was entered in the amount of $162,000.00.
Personal Injury/Death:
My Client was a 79-year-old retired serviceman. While walking his dog on a rainy early morning, a garbage truck was picking up recycled newspapers. The truck was equipped with a strobe light and beeper warning system that activated when the vehicle was in reverse. It was also equipped with a rear end video camera that allowed the driver to see behind the vehicle. During the early part of the lawsuit, the Defendants refused to discuss settlement. They relied on the driver's statement that my Client "must have" negligently walked into the reverse path of the vehicle. I hired numerous experts to assist in this difficult case. Ultimately, we learned that the camera system did not operate in rainy conditions and fogged up. I was able to overcome the Defendant’s theory of the case and rejected the defendant’s offer(s) of $500,000.00. Following an Oakland County mediation award of $850,000.00 we settled the case. Prior to my retention, two large and prominent law firms that tried to handle the case, had told the decedent's family that because of my Client's advanced age, the likely value of the case was only $250,000.00-$500,000.00.
Racial and Sexual Harassment:
My client was a young African American female employed as a cook at a local gambling establishment. Her immediate supervisor, a white male, called her into his office for a discussion regarding a test for a promotion. When she entered his small office, he instructed her to sit down next to him. He was wearing a long chef's coat. While she waited for him to speak, she noticed that he was fumbling around his lap. When she asked what he was doing, he pulled back his coat and revealed that he was masturbating. When she tried to leave, he grabbed her head and tried to force her to perform oral sex on him. She successfully resisted his efforts and escaped. I convinced the employer to settle out of court, without filing a lawsuit. My Client was paid her Workers Compensation benefits, her job was held open for two years and the employer paid to enroll my Client in a culinary arts program. In total my Client was paid a settlement, including her attorney fees, worth $300,000.00. The supervisor was terminated, prosecuted and convicted.
Business Dispute with a former Attorney:
My Client was sued by her former Attorney. The Attorney had represented the client in a number of business matters, including the sale of an unprofitable business. Immediately before the sale was to close, the Attorney falsely asserted that she was a shareholder in the business. As a result, the buyer would not close without the Attorney's approval. The Attorney then created a bogus bill for $35,000.00 that she demanded to be paid in order to approve the sale. The Client paid the Attorney and the deal closed. The Client filed a grievance against the Attorney, but was unsuccessful. The Attorney then sued the Client for $90,000.00 in what the Attorney claimed were additional fees owed to her by my client and for filing the unsuccessful grievance. A Wayne County Jury, following a 2 1/2 week trial, awarded the Attorney exactly what she deserved...$0.00.... In addition I was able to obtain an order awarding my client $20,000.00 in Attorney's fees. |
