$345,020 Verdict in Federal Court Retaliation Trial
Saturday's Clarion-Ledger reported on a $345,020 jury verdict last week in a workplace retaliation claim filed by Renee Summers-Akers against Hinds Community College. The case was tried in the Jackson Division of the Southern District of Mississippi before Judge Tom Lee.
Here is the jury's verdict form.
The C-L article states:
Renee Summers-Akers, who taught at Hinds from 1982 until her retirement this spring, alleged she was passed over for a promotion in 2006 because she had aided a colleague who was accusing the college of racial discrimination.
The verdict consisted of compensatory damages and back pay. Summers-Akers is also entitled to seek recovery of her attorney's fees, since this was a civil rights case. The judgment gives her 14 days to file her motion for attorney's fees. If granted, the motion will probably significantly increase Hinds' total liability.
Louis Watson, Jr. of Jackson represented the plaintiff. Ben Piazza and Thomas Bryson of Jackson represented the defendant.
