Monetary Value of Employment Suit Settlements Rise in 2010

The monetary value of settlements of the top 10 plaintiff employment discrimination class action lawsuits paid or entered into in 2010 totaled $346.4 million, which is more than four times the amount in 2009, according to a recently announced analysis. The largest was the $175 million settlement in Velez et al. vs. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., according to the report. The 664-page report analyzes 848 decisions rendered against employers in state and federal courts, including private plaintiff and government enforcement actions. The $346.4 million total for the top 10 in 2010 compares with $84.4 million for the top 10 during 2009. Velez, which received final approval Nov. 30, 2010, involved allegations that the Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis discriminated against 5,600 current and former female sales representatives in pay and promotions.