A federal jury recently awarded $95 million to Ashley Alford,a former Aaron’s Inc. employee, in a very disturbing sexual harassment case in St. Louis. Forbes reported that this might be a record breaking verdict to a single plaintiff, where the associate was awarded $15 million in compensatory damages and $80 million in punitive damages.
Perhaps this case will encourage more victims of sexual harassment in the workplace to speak up when they’re sexually harassed or subjected to a hostile work environment. With the case against Aaron’s, the plaintiff Ashley Alford alleged that her supervisor Richard Moore held her down and ejaculated on top of her. According to the Madison County Record, Alford claimed that the company had knowledge of her supervisor’s conduct, but that no action to discipline or remove Moore from his employment was taken.
The lawsuit also claims that Alford was retaliated against for filing a complaint. The following is a breakdown of the jury's award to 20-year-old Ashley Alford.
- $50 million in punitive damages related to the sexual harassment
- $30 million in punitive damages against Aaron's Rents for negligent supervision of Moore
- $3 million for pain and suffering related to negligent supervision
- $3 million related to humiliation and indignity suffered
- $3 million related to the emotional distress caused by Aaron's negligent control
of Moore - $2 million for sexual harassment damages against Aaron's Rents and the related pain and suffering
- $2 million for loss of a normal life related to the sexual harassment
- $500,000 for the loss of a normal life caused by the negligent control issue
- $1.25 million for emotional distress related to the alleged sexual assault
- $250,000 for pain and suffering related to the alleged sexual assault
That's a total of $95 million for the young employee. Hopefully, she'll put it to good use after what she's been through.
Related Resources:
- Find a Houston Employment Lawyer (FindLaw)
- Employee Rights: Sexual Harassment (FindLaw)
- Sexual Harassment: What is it? (FindLaw)
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