Date: 08-22-2008

Case Style: Mattie Cohen and Kathy Bacon v. Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's HealthCare

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Court: Circuit Court, Jefferson County, Kentucky

Plaintiff's Attorney: Joe Bishop of Bishop & Associates, Louisville, Kentucky

Defendant's Attorney: Larry Woods of Frost Brown Todd, Louisville, Kentucky

Description: Nurses Mattie Cohen and Kathy Bacon sued Jewish Hospital & St. Mary's Health Care on discrimination theories claiming that they were discriminated against by Defendant because of their race at work. Cohen claimed that race was "a substantial motivating factor" in decisions not to promote her beyond an assistant nurse manager supervisor. Both Bacon and Cohen claimed that they were treated differently from other employees and lost opportunities or suffered other negative consequences. They also claimed that that Jewish retaliated against them for complaining. Plaintiffs claimed that African Americans "have been subjected to systemic racial discrimination including … a pattern and practice of intentional discrimination."

Defendant denied wrongdoing.

Outcome: Mattie Cohen, who still works for the company as a charge nurse, received $657,287, including $117,287 for losses she suffered and $540,000 for embarrassment and humiliation. Kathy Bacon, who left the company and is now a traveling nurse, received $560,000, including $20,000 for losses and $540,000 for embarrassment and humiliation.

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