Judge sharply reduces $36 million discrimination award against Werner Enterprises

[Omaha Steve]

By Joe Dejka Jan 16, 2024 Updated 20 hrs ago

A federal judge sharply reduced a jury’s $36 million punitive damage award against Werner Enterprises in a disability discrimination case.

Citing a statutory cap on such awards, Senior U.S. District Judge John M. Gerrard on Jan. 10 reduced the award to $300,000, plus $35,682.25 in back pay.

The case was filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of a driver against Drivers Management and Werner Enterprises.

Last September, a jury determined that Werner discriminated against Victor Robinson on the basis of him being deaf. The jury awarded $75,000 for Robinson’s pain and suffering and $36 million in punitive damages.

FULL story: https://omaha.com/news/local/business/judge-sharply-reduces-36-million-discrimination-award-against-werner-enterprises/article_6bb12a44-b4b1-11ee-9a2e-374ec8fdbb85.html

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Judges have too much power and discretion

They can dismiss suits, and reduce a jury award 99%!! 99%!!!

[MichMan]

2. The judge is just following Federal law

Federal law, though, limits monetary damages to $300,000 in such employment discrimination cases, and on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge John Gerrard reduced the damages to that amount and awarded Robinson $35,682 for lost wages.

The plaintiff's attorneys had to know that. I wonder if they led the plaintiff to believe he was going to receive tens of millions.

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/federal-judge-orders-werner-enterprises-to-pay-deaf-truck-driver-335000/