Two Greek entities were vicariously liable for violations of international maritime-pollution laws by their cargo vessel’s crewmembers, as well as for the crewmembers attempts to conceal those violations. Background In 2015, the cargo vessel Ocean Hope – owned and operated ...

Tagged with: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Criminal Employment Judge Robert B. King Sentencing

An ADEA class was conditionally certified in a suit asserting that a school system declined to rehire older employees for IT positions. Background Plaintiff Joseph Andreana has been employed with Defendant Virginia Beach City Public Schools for over 28 years, ...

Tagged with: Civil Procedure Civil Rights Class Action Employment Employment Discrimination Judge Raymond A. Jackson U.S. District Court - Eastern District

After filing a charge of discrimination, a Bed Bath & Beyond manager sent a separate letter alleging that her supervisor encouraged her husband to cheat and retaliated when she complained. A federal court held that these claims weren’t part of ...

Tagged with: Administrative Civil Procedure Employment Employment Discrimination Judge Henry E. Hudson U.S. District Court - Eastern District

In an age discrimination suit, a federal court struck the plaintiff’s designation of a human resources expert whose opinion was based only on 30 years’ experience in the field, but no reliable principles or methods cited. Background Plaintiff Angela Georges ...

Tagged with: Civil Procedure Civil Rights Employment Employment Discrimination Evidence Judge M. Hannah Lauck U.S. District Court - Eastern District

In addition to the judgment of approximately $750,000 entered against a municipality for failing to reinstate an employee after FMLA leave, the county will also be liable for over $200,000 in pre-judgment interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. Background In ...

Tagged with: Attorneys Fees Civil Practice Employment Judge Raymond A. Jackson U.S. District Court - Eastern District

A Department of Social Services employee who worked in secret for a Department contractor had adequate opportunities for notice and hearing in the proceedings leading to his termination. Background Appellant John Carpenter was employed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ...

Tagged with: Administrative Employment Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. Virginia Court of Appeals

In a teacher’s pay discrimination suit, emails and salary-comparison documents created by the school board’s attorney were privileged, even if created for pre-litigation settlement discussions. Background Plaintiff Debra Colley worked for Defendant Dickenson County public school system from 2007 until ...

Tagged with: Attorneys Civil Procedure Employment Employment Discrimination Evidence Judge James P. Jones U.S. District Court - Western District

An employer who admitted awareness of federal requirements but failed to keep time records was liable to its employees for unpaid overtime and unpaid lunch breaks going back three years, plus liquidated damages and attorney fees. Background Plaintiffs Catherine Riggle ...

Tagged with: Attorneys Fees Employment Judge Claude M. Hilton U.S. District Court - Eastern District Wage & Hour

Res judicata applied to claims that an injured worker discovered when she deposed her doctor after the Workers’ Comp ensation Commission’s denial of her initial claims. She had initially chosen not to depose him due to the cost, but this ...

Tagged with: Administrative Employment Judge Robert J. Humphreys Virginia Court of Appeals Workers' Compensation

After approving a settlement of $285,000 for the Plaintiffs’ wage claims, a federal court also awarded about 80 percent of their requested fees, noting that the Defendant fought every issue “to its last breath.” Background This is a Fair Labor ...

Tagged with: Attorneys Fees Civil Practice Employment Judge Henry Coke Morgan Jr. U.S. District Court - Eastern District Wage & Hour