Opinion ID: 524652
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Damages from Racial Discrimination

Text: 18 The defendants contend that the award of compensatory damages to Flanagan is wholly without merit. They argue that she has provided no evidence of pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, or loss of wages. The district court's denial of the defendants' motion for new trial or a reduction in damages will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. See Westbrook v. General Tire and Rubber Co., 754 F.2d 1233, 1241 (5th Cir.1985). A jury's award of damages will not be set aside unless the award is entirely disproportionate to the injury sustained. Caldarera v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., 705 F.2d 778, 784 (5th Cir.1983). The jury awarded $25,000 in compensation for the claims of racial discrimination. 19 The damages awarded for the racial discrimination suffered by Flanagan do not appear to be entirely disproportionate to her injury. A certain amount of emotional distress may be assumed from the racially motivated treatment she received from the defendants. See Woods-Drake v. Lundy, 667 F.2d 1198, 1203 (5th Cir.1982); Gore v. Turner, 563 F.2d 159, 164 (5th Cir.1977). The jury could have found that Flanagan was injured by the stress of attempting to satisfy supervisors who harbored racial animus toward her. Once Flanagan left the Center, she was confronted with the federal government's reinstatement of the obligation for over $180,000. The employment Flanagan found after her termination provided a comparable income at the cost of longer hours, a longer commute, and stressful working conditions. The jury could have found Flanagan was emotionally distressed by these events. 20 In addition, the jury could have found Flanagan should be compensated for other losses incurred as a result of the defendants' discrimination; these losses include her suspension from work for four days without pay, the value of the continuing education leave she never received, and the two weeks without pay when insurance was not ready upon her arrival. An award of $25,000 does not appear to be entirely disproportionate to her injuries as the jury may have found them. See, e.g., Cowan v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 852 F.2d 688, 690-91 (2d Cir.1988) ($15,000 to compensate effects of discrimination, which included mental distress, humiliation, and loss of self-esteem); Rowlett v. Anheuser-Busch, Inc., 832 F.2d 194, 204 (1st Cir.1987) ($123,000 not excessive compensation for distress from years of discrimination and resulting unemployment); Hunter v. Allis-Chalmers Corp., Engine Div., 797 F.2d at 1425 ($25,000 for humiliation and distress not excessive). The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendants' motion as to this aspect of the damages award.