Class Action

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 M. Herman were co-counsel for 45 individual Plaintiffs & class counsel in race discrimination/retaliation case. Cases settled. (July 2001)

Class Obtains $8.5 Million Settlement and Workplace Improvement

Palmer v. Combined Insurance Company of America, Case No. 02-C-1764; Radmanovich v. Combined Insurance Company of America, Case No. 01-C-9502.  Plaintiff’s lead co-counsel and class counsel Patricia Benassi and Athena M. Herman 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.  Consent decree and Class settlement in the amount of 8.5 million dollars as well as extensive changes in the working conditions, promotion practices, complain procedures, human resource procedures and court appointed monitors. (2005)

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)

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. (1997)

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

Huffhines, et al. v. City of Peoria , et. al., Federal District Court No. 93-3162. Patricia Benassi was lead plaintiffs’ 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. (1996)

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)

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)