Wilma Rowe v. City and County of Denver
Published: Mar. 13, 1999 | Result Date: Oct. 5, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 96D1559 Verdict – $132,500
Judge
Court
USDC Colorado
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Doris Gunderson
(medical)
Defendant
Kathy Morall
(medical)
Facts
On Oct. 17, 1992, plaintiff Wilma Rowe, a 59-year-old retired police officer, was verbally assaulted for ten minutes by a co-worker police officer employed by the defendants City and County of Denver. The co-worker called her vulgar ephithets referring to the female genitalia. That same co-worker retired four months after incident without receiving discipline. In late February and March 1993, another officer sexually assaulted the plaintiff three times in front of her supervisor by grabbing her breasts and buttocks. The plaintiff was transferred to a light-duty position shortly after the complained to her sergeant to stop the assaults. The defendants contended that the remedy was appropriate for the first complaint since the abusing co-worker retired before the defendant city could impose discipline. The defendants also contended that the plaintiff did not formally complain of sexual assaults in accordance with the defendants' written policy, the defendant's transfer of the plaintiff was not retaliatory, and because only the final incident fell within the statutory limitation period to bring a complaint, the plaintiff could not establish a continuing pattern of conduct to support a hostile work environment claim.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $300,000. The defendant made an offer of compromise for $92,000.
Specials in Evidence
$ ________ $ _______ $ _______ $ _______
Injuries
The plaintiff suffered psychiatric injuries including post traumatic stress disorder, and other non-percuniary issues. Future treatment includes medication and counseling.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and four months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
1½ days
Length
five days
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