Judge Awards $4 Million in Attorneys’ Fees to Former UCLA Hematologist
Background
Dr. Lauren Pinter-Brown, a former UCLA hematologist, was granted nearly $4 million in attorneys’ fees by a judge on Thursday. The ruling comes after Pinter-Brown was awarded $14 million by a jury in a retrial of her lawsuit against the UC Regents, which found that she was forced out of her job as director of the medical school’s lymphoma program due to gender discrimination.
History of the Case
Pinter-Brown originally filed her lawsuit against the UC Regents in June 2016. In 2018, she won $13 million in the first trial of the case, but the verdict was overturned by a panel of the Second District Court of Appeal in 2020 due to judicial error. The appellate justices noted that the first trial judge’s remarks, including a quote from Martin Luther King, potentially prejudiced jurors against the UC Regents.
Retrial and Verdict
The case went to retrial in May 2024, and Pinter-Brown was awarded $14 million by the jury. The UC Regents had argued that the damages awarded were excessive and that the plaintiff failed to prove that she was forced to quit due to gender discrimination.
Attorneys’ Fees
Judge Joseph Lipner granted Pinter-Brown $3.9 million in attorneys’ fees, bringing the total amount awarded to her to nearly $17 million. The UC Regents had argued that the damages awarded were excessive and that the plaintiff’s attorneys had overcharged her.
Testimony and Evidence
During the trial, Pinter-Brown testified that her work conditions at UCLA were intolerable, stating that she lived in a state of terror and was anxious all the time. She also testified that she was repeatedly berated by a subordinate physician, Dr. Sven De Vos, and that her male colleagues were more supportive of her work.
Conclusion
The judge’s ruling is a significant victory for Pinter-Brown, who has been seeking justice for years. The case highlights the ongoing issue of gender discrimination in the workplace and the importance of protecting employees from harassment and retaliation.
FAQs
Q: What was the original lawsuit about?
A: The original lawsuit was filed by Dr. Lauren Pinter-Brown against the UC Regents in June 2016, alleging that she was forced out of her job as director of the medical school’s lymphoma program due to gender discrimination.
Q: What was the outcome of the first trial?
A: In 2018, Pinter-Brown won $13 million in the first trial of the case, but the verdict was overturned by a panel of the Second District Court of Appeal in 2020 due to judicial error.
Q: What was the outcome of the retrial?
A: In May 2024, Pinter-Brown was awarded $14 million by the jury in the retrial of the case.
Q: What did Judge Joseph Lipner rule regarding attorneys’ fees?
A: Judge Lipner granted Pinter-Brown $3.9 million in attorneys’ fees, bringing the total amount awarded to her to nearly $17 million.
