Security Guard Wins $5.5 Million in Sexual Harassment Case

Sexual harassment occurs every day in all types of workplaces. Even people whose job it is to keep others safe might not be protected against unlawful behavior from supervisors and co-workers. In some situations, offensive behavior is compounded by unlawful retaliation when the victim objects to, or reports, the harassment. 

A case out of Georgia, Bryant v. C&M Defense Group LLC, involved shocking allegations of workplace sexual harassment. Plaintiff Makita Bryant worked as a security guard, but faced numerous forms of offensive treatment from her boss, including explicit comments, pressure to engage in sexual activity and invitations to join him at a strip club. As time went on, his conduct escalated to include physical assault and exposure of his private body parts. 

To make matters worse, Bryant’s complaint to her employer failed to remedy the situation. Bryant reports that she got no response, even when she provided a recording of an assault she endured. She starting losing shifts and eventually lost her job. Her former employer would not even give back the recording she provided, which also included a message from a deceased loved one. 

Bryant’s claims resonated with the jury, which awarded her a total of $5,540,452. This included separate damages for the following:

  • $1,009,645 from her employer for the emotional pain and mental anguish stemming from their negligence, discrimination, retaliation and hostile work environment

  • $560,807 from all defendants for intentional infliction of emotional distress

  • $10,000 from her employer and her boss for the conversion of the recording Bryant provided

  • $2.2 million from her employer in punitive damages

  • $1.75 million from her boss in punitive damages

If you have been harassed, assaulted or retaliated against at work, substantial legal relief might be available. You don’t have to accept sexual harassment as just part of the job. Moreover, you can also obtain damages if your employer retaliates against you for reporting what happened to you. Kardell Law Group provides confidential consultations, where you can review your rights and options with an experienced employment attorney. Please call or contact us online to discuss your particular circumstances.