stewart v. aaps: how a high-stakes case won justice for a woman who spoke out at work
TRANSCRIPT
STEWART V. AAPS:
How a Woman Won $47 Million After Speaking Out Against Sexual Harassment and Illegal Activity
Presented By
At Hilaire McGriff PC, we help the victims of
employment discrimination, harassment and
retaliation speak up against the people and
institutions that cause them harm. Learn how we
helped win $47 million for a brave woman who raised
her voice.
40,000: The number of people who report
retaliation in the workplace every year.
Many more instances go unreported.
IN THIS PRESENTATION, WE WILL DISCUSS:
• What our client faced and how she fought back
• What constitutes retaliation in the
workplace
• What you should do if you see illegal
activity in the workplace or face retaliation
Patricia, a dermatologist, was the victim of a “good ol’
boys’ club.” She accused the American Association of
Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS) of sending racially
insensitive and gender-discriminatory emails,
including pornographic images of patients on gurneys,
and of retaliating against whistleblowers.
That’s when she began to face retaliation herself.
VICTIM OF THE GOOD OL’ BOYS CLUB
MEMBERS OF THE AAPS RETALIATED
The AAPS revoked her position as AAPS governor,
sent defamatory emails about her, made false
accusations at an annual meeting, terminated her
membership and caused her to lose board
certification as a dermatologist.
She fought back.
THE RESULT? $47 million damages verdict,
including $20 million in punitive damages.
Patricia’s legal team used a clear presentation to tell
her story, including a video montage that showed the
jury what she faced. They found holes in the AAPS’s
witnesses and had them excluded
from trial.
Yet, most importantly, Patricia won because
she spoke up.
HOW SHE WON
IT TAKES BRAVERY TO RAISE YOUR VOICE.
But if you don’t, who will?
WHAT IS RETALIATION?
Retaliation is an adverse employment action against an
individual for raising a concern, filing a discrimination
charge, refusing to obey a discriminatory order or
blowing the whistle on illegal conduct.
• Did your employer fire you for filing a
discrimination charge?
• Did your employer deny you a promotion for refusing
to obey a discriminatory order?
• Did you raise concerns about harassment in the
workplace and face threats?
• Were you the victim of harassment, unjustified
evaluations or increased surveillance?
• Do you have a reason to believe your employer’s
actions against you are related to a concern you raised?
SIGNS THAT YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF RETALIATION:
RECORD YOUR INTERACTIONS with your
employer. Keep a journal. Create a paper trail.
WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE CALM to approach your
employer.
DO NOT REQUEST OR ACCEPT BRIBES from
your employer in return for your silence.
SEEK THE HELP OF AN ATTORNEY.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Lost wages
• Economic damages
• Money for your pain and suffering
• Future financial damages
• Punitive damages
• Legal fees
• Reinstatement of your job, license or membership
Patricia’s verdict is an outlier and not typical in retaliation
cases, but it shows that justice can be achieved. Speak up
to hold the institution that caused you harm accountable
and possibly recover:
© 2016 Hilaire McGriff PC. All Rights Reserved.
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