McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP Secures $1.37M Settlement in Discrimination and Retaliation Lawsuit Against City of Los Angeles and LAPD

Partner Matthew McNicholas and Senior Lawyer Douglas D. Winter obtained a $1.37 million settlement on behalf of a Patrol Officer III with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after she was continually retaliated against for reporting the discriminatory behavior she was subjected to due to her disability. After suffering a neck fracture in an on-duty car accident, Patrol Officer III was transferred to the kit room, where she assigned equipment for officers. There, Patrol Officer III endured dirty looks, false accusations, Family Leave and Medical Act (FMLA) violations and discriminatory rules instated by the station supervisor, a Captain III, all because of her disability and because she engaged in protected activity by reporting the retaliation. The Captain III eventually removed Patrol Officer III’s patrol status, resulting in a pay reduction. In a final act of retaliation, the Captain III relieved Patrol Officer III from duty and booked her handgun after an off-duty incident. As a result of the continued retaliation, Patrol Officer III suffered health issues, financial hardship and damage to her reputation.