Opinion ID: 2977617
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Emotional Distress

Text: Determining damages for mental and emotional distress is essentially subjective, though “an award of damages must be supported by competent evidence.” Carey v. Piphus, 435 U.S. 247, 264 n.20 (1978). “Michigan law allows recovery for mental anguish based on the plaintiff’s own testimony; however, there must be specific and definite evidence of [a plaintiff’s] mental anguish, anxiety or distress.” Moody v. Pepsi-Cola Metro. Bottling Co., Inc., 915 F.2d 201, 210 (6th Cir. 1990) (citations and internal quotations omitted). We have held that “a plaintiff’s own testimony, along with the circumstances of a particular case, can suffice to sustain the plaintiff’s burden” of proving that an employer’s unlawful actions caused her emotional distress. Turic v. Holland Hosp., Inc., 85 F.3d 1211, 1215 (6th Cir. Nos. 07-2103/2217 Betts et al. v. Costco Wholesale Corporation Page 21 1996) (citing Meyers v. City of Cincinnati, 14 F.3d 1115, 1119 (6th Cir. 1994)). Here, Thomas testified that, before she left the warehouse, she was “upset” and “disappointed,” and that the racism she encountered from the warehouse manager, Phil Sullivan, was a “smack in the face.” (Joint Appendix (“JA”) 600.) She alleged that Sullivan’s discriminatory behavior made her decide to transfer positions in the store. She also stated that the work environment was so toxic she felt like she was “walking on egg shells” when Sullivan was at the warehouse. (JA 597.)