Opinion ID: 791237
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Verdict and Post-Verdict Motions

Text: 22 On March 3, 2004, after a six-day trial, the jury concluded that plaintiffs had failed to prove their claim of race discrimination but had established discrimination based on age. It awarded Cross compensatory damages of $42,000 for lost earnings and $50,000 for mental and emotional distress. The jury awarded Francis $2,500 for lost earnings and $50,000 for mental and emotional distress. 2 It further awarded both plaintiffs liquidated damages from the Transit Authority equal to their lost earnings. 23 Defendants subsequently moved pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 50(b) for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or, in the alternative, a new trial pursuant to Rule 59. In a Memorandum and Order filed April 22, 2004, the district court denied both motions, finding that the evidence of discriminatory intent was sufficient to support a jury verdict, that liquidated damages were properly available for defendants' willful violation of the ADEA, and that the emotional distress awards were not unreasonable under New York law. Accordingly, it simultaneously entered a final judgment in favor of plaintiffs consistent with the jury verdict. Defendants timely appealed this judgment.