FACT
The average dollar amount of
compensatory damages awarded in discrimination cases soared to $250,000 in 1997, up from
$65,000 in 1996.
Punitive damages were awarded in
34% of discrimination cases and 38% of sexual harassment cases.
Discrimination plaintiffs
recovered 58% of the time at trial.
But: courts now dismiss
nearly half of the discrimination cases filed before trial. Therefore, only
one-third of all plaintiffs who file discrimination cases prevail at trial.
More than 24,000 discrimination
suits are filed annually in federal court. Many more discrimination suites are filed
each year in the state courts.
Retaliation claims constitute 24%
of EEOC charges filed in 1998, up from 15% in 1992.
Discrimination victims currently
must pay tax on everything they recover, including amounts paid to their attorneys, unless
recovered for an actual, physical injury. No other area of law has this adverse tax
treatment. Congress is currently considering an amendment to change this. Contact us to learn how you can support this amendment.
Source: Paul H. Tobias
"Founder's Reflections", National Employment Law
Association Spring, 1999 Employee Advocate.
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