What are My Chances of Winning?

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Patrick Smith

 

Understandably, this is the most important question a client will ask his lawyer when deciding whether to settle a lawsuit or defend the case at trial.   It is also one of the most difficult things for lawyers to predict.   That's why jury verdict research is so valuable, and why this post at Manpower Employment Blawg is a must read for employers and HR professionals.    It turns out that 2009 was not a very good year at the courthouse for employers defending employment related lawsuits.  Here is a summary of the some of the jury verdict data:

  • The median jury award in discrimination cases rose 16%, from $208,000 to $241,119.
  • Employers won 39% of the time (or lost 61% of the time, depending upon your perspective).   In age cases, employers were successful only 33% of the time, and in disability cases, 52% of the time.
  • Age discrimination claims resulted in the largest verdicts, followed by disability, sex, and race.
  • Employers are generally better off in federal court: they won 43% of the time there, versus 37% of cases in state court. The median award was also lower in federal court ($164,925 vs. $270,000). Federal Court is also more favorable for employers because of the relatively high percentage of cases for which summary judgment is granted.
  • The median settlement amount for all cases: $90,000, 20% higher than last year.  

 

 

 

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H1N1 and Paid Leave

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Patrick Smith

An update on H1N1--the confirmed number of cases in Iowa is now 60, and perhaps growing.   That is up 17 cases since our last post on this subject two days ago.   In addition to the existing public health and employer challenges this disease presents, will a potential pandemic provide the impetus for Congress to mandate paid leave for employees? 

There are reports that Senator Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.) plans to reintroduce next month the "Healthy Families Act".  The bill would require employers with fifteen or more employees to provide at least seven paid sick days per year to full time employees.  According to The Des Moines Register, Iowa's Senators and Representatives are divided on the proposed law, which was first introduced, but not enacted, in 2007.    Existing federal law requires private employers with 50 or more employees and all public employers to provide up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave because of a serious health condition of the employee or a close family member.   However, there is no law that requires paid time off because of illness.

Opponents of the law in Iowa's delegation are concerned about the impact of another employer mandate on small business.   While no reasonable employer wants its employees to be harmed in the event of an illness, the law as it was proposed in the last Congress not only imposes the obligation of paid leave, but also provides that employees may enforce the act with a civil lawsuit. 

Interested parties should contact their Senator or Representative and let them know your views.

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