State of Missouri Department of Corrections Missouri Cases

Susan Hays prevailed on a Missouri Human Rights Act claim against the State of Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC), and the trial court applied a 1.5 multiplier to her attorneys' fees. DOC appealed, arguing that sovereign immunity barred the use of a multiplier. The appellate court dismissed the appeal, holding that DOC failed to preserve its sovereign immunity argument at the trial level and that sovereign immunity in this context is not a jurisdictional issue that can be raised for the first time on appeal. The court remanded the case for the trial court to determine and award Hays reasonable appellate attorneys' fees.

Samantha Kelley sued the Missouri Department of Corrections for sexual harassment under the MHRA, alleging a hostile work environment and the Department's failure to take remedial action. A jury awarded Kelley actual and punitive damages, and the trial court added attorneys' fees with a 1.5 multiplier. The Department appealed, challenging the submissibility of the case, the punitive damages award, and the fee multiplier. The appellate court affirmed the judgment in its entirety, finding no error in the trial court's rulings, and remanded the case for a determination of appellate attorneys' fees.

Taryn Piers sued the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) for retaliation, associational disability discrimination, and sex discrimination under the MHRA. A jury found in Piers's favor on the retaliation claim, leading to a judgment of $500,000 in non-economic damages, plus attorneys' fees and costs. DOC appealed, challenging the denial of its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and the admission of an undisclosed witness's testimony. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, finding DOC failed to preserve its arguments regarding the JNOV and that the trial court did not err in allowing the witness's testimony.

Matthew Valdivia obtained a jury verdict against the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC) on claims brought under the Missouri Human Rights Act. The DOC appealed, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal as untimely. The court held that the initial judgment, despite not specifying an interest rate, was final, and the DOC's notice of appeal was filed beyond the statutory deadline. The case was remanded for the trial court to determine and award Valdivia reasonable attorney fees for the appeal.