Discrimination Cases

Women Settle for $3 Million and Beneficial Changes for Female Employees

Patricia Benassi was plaintiffs' lead co-counsel in a 50 plaintiff sex discrimination and First Amendment case alleging discrimination in wages and benefits, promotional opportunities, training and other terms and conditions of employment, sexual harassment and retaliation. Settlement was $3 million, including wage increases, wage and job reclassifications for female employees, promotions, training and other improvements in job benefits. Huffhines, et al. v. City of Peoria , et. al., Federal District Court No. 93-3162.

Female Captain Denied Promotion Due to Gender and Settles for $150,000

Mary Ann Dunlavey v. City of Peoria Human Rights Commission No. 1985-CF-2197. Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in a sex discrimination case on behalf of a female captain who was denied promotion to the position of superintendent of police. Ten-day trial and three appeals. Established principle under Human Rights Act that department heads were covered by the Human Rights Act. Case settled prior to decision for $150,000.

Mitsubishi's Women Employees Settle for Confidential Amount.  Company Donates $100,000 to Organizations Benefiting Women

Evans. et al. v. Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing of America , Case No. 94-1545. Patricia Benassi was plaintiffs' lead co-counsel in sexual harassment / sex discrimination case representing 27 female plaintiffs, one of the largest multi-plaintiff sexual harassment cases. Terms of the settlement are confidential. Mitsubishi donated $100,000.00 to organizations benefiting women in addition to relief obtained for the plaintiffs.

70 Management Employees Fight Age Discrimination

Isaacs et al. v. Caterpillar, Inc., 765 F.Supp. 1359 (C.D. Ill. 1991). Patricia Benassi represented 70 management employees who alleged they were subjected to illegal age discrimination when they were forced to retire. Results confidential. (1988-1992)

Women Plaintiffs Obtain $8.5 Million Settlement and Workplace Improvement

We were plaintiff's lead co-counsel and class counsel for individual women and class member who alleged sexual harassment, and sex discrimination in wages, job assignments, promotions and other terms and conditions of employment.  Patricia Benassi and Athena Papachronis Herman were won a Consent decree and Class settlement in the amount of $8.5 million as well as extensive changes in the working conditions, promotion practices, complain procedures, human resource procedures and court appointed monitors. Palmer v. Combined Insurance Company of America, Case No. 02-C-1764; Radmanovich v. Combined Insurance Company of America, Case No. 01-C-9502 (2005).

45 Individuals and Class Settle Race Discrimination and Retaliation Cases

Gillespie. et al. v. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, United States District Court Case No. 99-1102, Woodard, et al. v. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, United States District Court Case No. 00-1038, Warr v. Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, United States District Court Case No. 00-2112. Patricia Benassi and Athena Papachronis Herman were co-counsel for 45 individual Plaintiffs & class counsel in race discrimination/retaliation case. Cases settled. (July 2001)

Jury Award $850,000 to Woman Who Was Retaliated Against for Filing EEOC

Lori David v. Caterpillar. Inc., Federal District Court No. 98-1250. Patricia Benassi and Athena Papachronis Herman were plaintiff's counsel in Title VII failure to promote/retaliation case. Jury awarded $850,000. (May, 2001)

25 People Alleging Age Discrimination Settle for More Than $1.5 Million

James G. Sanders. et al. v. Northwestern Steel & Wire Company, Federal District Court No. 86-C-20095. Patricia Benassi was plaintiffs' counsel in multi-plaintiff age discrimination case involving 25 plaintiffs. Case settled favorably to plaintiffs prior to trial. Settlement in excess of $1.5 million. (1985-1987)

50 People Discriminated Against for Age Receive Total of $1.5 Million

Edward W. Rose et al. v. Keystone Consolidated Industries. Inc., Federal District Court No. 83-1059. Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in multi-plaintiff age discrimination case involving 50 plaintiffs. Case settled favorably to plaintiffs before trial. Settlement in excess of $1.5 million. (1983 - 1985)

Woman Alleging Age and Sex Discrimination Settles Case Without Having To Go To Trial

Marilyn Owen v. Thompson Food Basket. Inc., Federal District Court No. 85-1275. Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in age and sex discrimination case. Case settled favorably to plaintiff shortly before trial. Settlement confidential at Employer's request.

Woman Sexually Harassed and Retaliated Against Obtained a Settlement of $165,000

Brennan v. Steak N Shake, Human Rights Commission No. 1986-CF-2310. Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in a sexual harassment and retaliation case filed by a female assistant manager against her employer and numerous male managers. Case won at trial level. Settled during appeal for $165,000.

Man and Woman Discriminated Against Due To Age Obtained a Settlement Without Trial

John Galt & Roberta Whalen v. Nestle Beich, Inc., Federal District Court No. 90-367. Patricia Benassi was plaintiffs' counsel in age discrimination case representing two management employees. Case settled favorably to plaintiffs. Settlement confidential at Employer's request.

Man Racially Discriminated Against Receives Settlement

Frank Malone v. City of Peoria et al., Human Rights Department No. 1986-CF-2948. Patricia Benassi was counsel for employee discharged due to race discrimination. Arbitration case won, but City ultimately refused to comply until federal court litigation was threatened. Thereafter, City of Peoria settled with the former employee. Settlement confidential at Employer's request.

Man Discriminated Against Due To His Bad Back, Settles

John Leddy v. Chicago & Northwestern Transportation Company, Human Rights Department No. 1984-CN-2209. Patricia Benassi represented man with bad back in handicap discrimination case. Case settled favorably to plaintiff.

Diabetic Discriminated Against and Settles for More Than $400,000

Leslie Linton v. Chicago & Northwestern Transportation Company, Human Rights Department No. 1982-CN-1225. Patricia Benassi represented diabetic in handicap discrimination case. Case settled favorably to for Linton. Plaintiff received wages, training benefits and job guarantees valued in excess of $400,000.

Two Police Officers Receive Full Disability Benefits

Piquard & Duran v. East Peoria Police Dept. Pension Board, Federal District Court Case No. 94-1131. Patricia Benassi was plaintiffs' counsel on behalf of two police officers who were denied disability benefits in violation of ADA. Case settled with full benefits paid for by local governmental entities.

Government Pays Over $400,000 After Age Discrimination

Patricia Benassi represented an employee in an age discrimination case for failure to promote a 65-year-old employee. She tried the case and won. The federal government paid over $400,000.00 in lost wages, benefits and attorneys fees. Allen v. Bureau of Census, Federal District Court No. 89-1136.