Friday, September 20, 2024

Federal Court Reduces $20 Million Dollar Punitive Damages Award


In the case of Holmes v. American Homepatient, Inc., No. 4:21-CV-01683 (M.D. Pa. Sept. 6, 2024 Brann, C.J), the court addressed a number of post-trial issues following the entry of a $20.5 million verdict in favor of a Plaintiff in a Section 1981 hostile work environment claim.

Of note, the jury awarded the Plaintiff $500,000.00 in compensatory damages and $20 million dollars in punitive damages.

While the judge held up most of the jury’s findings in his Opinion, the court did find that the award of punitive damages was unconstitutional. After reviewing the law and settling on a 2 to 1 ratio, Judge Brann reduced the punitive damages award to $1 million dollars.

Anyone wishing to review a copy of this decision may click this LINK.  The Court's companion Order can be viewed HERE.

Source: Article – “Federal Judge Cuts $20M Punitive Damages Award To $1M Over Constitutionality Concerns” By Riley Brennan of the Legal Intelligencer (Sept. 6, 2024).

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