Opinion ID: 163288
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Willfulness under the ADEA

Text: 29 A plaintiff may be awarded liquidated damages under the ADEA if the defendant's violation was willful. 29 U.S.C. § 626(b). In this case, the jury found that McGraw-Hill's violation of the ADEA was willful and the court awarded liquidated damages. McGraw-Hill argues that the award was in error because Minshall failed to present sufficient evidence to support the jury's determination that its violation of the ADEA was willful. Moreover, McGraw-Hill argues that it presented sufficient evidence that it acted with a good faith belief that its conduct was lawful. 30 Under the ADEA, a violation is willful if the employer either knew or showed reckless disregard for the matter of whether its conduct was prohibited by the statute. Hazen Paper Co. v. Biggins, 507 U.S. 604, 617, 113 S.Ct. 1701, 123 L.Ed.2d 338 (1993). McGraw-Hill argues that because Minshall never complained Klinzing was discriminating against him, it acted on a good faith belief that its decision not to renew his contract was lawful. Klinzing, however, testified that she was instructed by KMGH not to hire anyone under the age of 40 to replace Minshall. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably conclude that McGraw-Hill knew its decision not to renew Minshall's contract was in violation of the ADEA or acted with reckless disregard over the matter. Accordingly, the district court did not err in granting Minshall liquidated damages.