Opinion ID: 580009
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: ADEA Issues

Text: 119 The EEOC raises two issues regarding the damages awarded under the ADEA. First, it argues that plaintiffs should have been awarded liquidated damages in addition to back pay. Second, it argues that the district judge erred in refusing to allow the jury to award front pay. Because we have struck down the punitive damages award, these issues are easily resolved on the basis of concessions made by Hilton and the EEOC. A. Liquidated Damages 120 The jury found that Hilton's ADEA violation was willful, CR 441, Question 1A, yet did not award liquidated damages under 29 USC § 626(b). Plaintiffs and the EEOC argue that liquidated damages are mandatory once a willful violation is found. We need not resolve this issue because Hilton has made the following concession: 121 Because it is impossible to tell whether the punitive damages award contains a hidden award of federal liquidated damages, Hilton concedes that it would be appropriate, if the punitive damage award is reversed or remitted below $1,427,048.00 [the amount of back pay awarded to the ADEA plaintiffs], for this Court to reinstate that award up to that amount in order to ensure that the jury's finding of willfulness, which Hilton does not contest here, is implemented according to the ADEA's statutory purposes. 122 Hilton's Brief in Reply to the Responsive Brief of Plaintiffs and in Response to the Briefs on Cross-Appeal of Plaintiffs and the EEOC, at 87 n. 52. Accordingly, liquidated damages should be awarded in this case; the ADEA plaintiffs' back pay award should be doubled. B. Front Pay 123 Plaintiffs and the EEOC argue that the court erred in instructing the jury that it could not award front pay. The EEOC conceded in its brief, however, that if the present verdict stands or if liquidated damages are awarded, the district court's failure to allow an award of future damages may not be an abuse of discretion under the law of this Circuit. Brief of the EEOC as Cross-Appellant, at 13 n. 19. We have ruled that plaintiffs must be awarded liquidated damages. Because plaintiffs will be getting double back pay, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in declining to award front pay. See Cancellier v. Federated Dep't. Stores, 672 F.2d 1312, 1320 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 859, 103 S.Ct. 131, 74 L.Ed.2d 113 (1982).