Retaliation and Whistle Blower

Man's Record Cleared, Gets Old Job Back, and Receives $350,000

Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in a First Amendment jury trial involving retaliation for protected free speech. She won the case with a verdict of $517,000. The case was appealed by the defendant school district. She won case in the federal appeals court, although the verdict was reduced. At the second trial, our law firm won the case in its entirety, getting our client a transfer to his original job, expungement of his records and damages of approximately $350,000. The school district paid in excess of $875,000 in combined damages and attorney's fees. Terry C. Knapp v. Whitaker, et al. 757 F.2d. 827 (7th Cir. 1985).

Employee Gets Job Back and State Pays Over $500,000 for Retaliating because of Court Testimony

Wright v. DCFS, et al., 40 F.3d 1492 (7th Cir. 1994) Plaintiffs counsel in a First Amendment and retaliation claim by DCFS case worker who was terminated for testifying in state court. Employee was reinstated and Defendant paid over $500,000. (1997)

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

Lori David v. Caterpillar, Inc., Federal District Court No. 98-1250. Plaintiff's counsel in Title VII failure to promote/retaliation case.  Employee denied promotion in retaliation for filing EEOC charges and complaining about sex discrimination. Jury award $850,000. (May 2001)

Whistleblower Litigation Under Atomic Energy Act and Nuclear Regulatory Act

Donald Richter, et al. v. Baldwin Associates, Case Nos. 84-ERA-9 through 84-ERA-12. Representation of four management employees terminated in retaliation for enforcing safety standards at Clinton Nuclear Plant. Case originally dismissed on summary judgment motion filed by defendant. This was appealed by plaintiffs and was reversed. A ten-day trial took place in December, 1987 and January, 1988. Two months after the trial ended, the case settled. Settlement confidential at request of employer.

Woman Retaliated Against for Testimony and Cooperating with Law Enforcement Obtained Settlement

Delores I. Wills v. County of Peoria, et al., Federal District Court No. 87-2328. Patricia Benassi was plaintiff's counsel in case involving discharge of employee for cooperating with law enforcement officials and engaging in other First Amendment protected activities. Case settled favorably to plaintiff. Settlement confidential at request of defendants.