On Aug. 29, 2008 a jury awarded $3.3 million to an emergency medical technician who said her employer transferred her after she complained that she had been sexually assaulted and harassed by a co-worker.
In 2004, Kathy Nieves told management at East Texas Medical Center EMS that she had been harassed at work and assaulted in her home by Jeremy Cox, also an EMT.
Cox denied the allegations and subsequently accused Nieves of harassment. Nieves claimed that in retaliation for her complaints, East Texas reprimanded her, transferred her and precluded her from working in Coffman County.
The defense argued that Nieves and Cox had a consensual sexual relationship and that Nieves was transferred for legitimate business reasons.
The jury sided with Nieves and awarded her $1.8 million for emotional distress and lost wages and $1.5 million for punitive damages.
Nieves v. East Texas Medical Center EMS, No. 69987
Court: 40th District Court, Ellis County