Ex-UCLA Phlebotomist Awarded $1.6 Million in Harassment Lawsuit
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On August 7, 2019, a jury awarded almost $1.6 million to a woman who alleged she was fired for complaining about coworker’s subjecting her to racial insults and discriminatory comments at her job. Nicole Birden claimed that UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica, failed to investigate when supervisors harassed and insulted her and several other African-American employees. Additionally, she alleged that she was fired from her job as a phlebotomist after raising concerns about the issue, according to the verdict filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
Alleged Hostile Work Environment.
According to Birdnne’s complaint, she began working at UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica, as a phlebotomist in 2015. Shortly after, she claims coworkers made disparaging remarks about the color of her skin and racially […]
