There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you can sue for pregnancy discrimination, as each case depends on its unique circumstances. Damages can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on factors like financial losses, emotional impact, and the severity of the employer’s conduct. Our experienced pregnancy discrimination attorneys in Los Angeles can help you with your case. Contact us today.
Average Settlements
Settlements for pregnancy discrimination in California typically range from $10,000 to $50,000. However, in cases involving severe discrimination or egregious employer conduct, settlements can exceed $1 million.
Factors that Influence Compensation
The amount you can recover in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit depends on several factors:
Severity of the Discrimination
More blatant or harmful acts of discrimination may lead to higher damages.
Financial Losses
The greater your lost income and benefits, the higher your economic damages.
Emotional Impact
Strong evidence of mental anguish, such as therapy records or testimonies, can increase emotional distress damages.
Employer’s Conduct
Courts consider whether the employer acted maliciously or recklessly, which may result in punitive damages.
Employer’s Size
Under federal law, the size of the employer affects the cap on certain damages. For example, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) caps compensatory and punitive damages at $50,000 for employers with 15-100 employees, but the cap increases to $300,000 for employers with over 500 employees. However, California law under FEHA does not impose these caps.
Examples of Pregnancy Discrimination Settlements
While settlement amounts vary widely, examples of pregnancy discrimination cases show significant potential for compensation:
Juarez v. AutoZone Stores, Inc. (2014)
In one of the largest single-plaintiff employment verdicts in U.S. history, Rosario Juarez sued AutoZone, alleging that after announcing her pregnancy, she was demoted and later terminated. The jury awarded Juarez approximately $185 million in punitive damages.
In July 2024, Microsoft agreed to pay $14 million to settle claims by the California Civil Rights Department that it penalized employees who took medical or family care leave, including pregnancy leave. The settlement addressed allegations that these employees faced retaliation, such as denied promotions and raises, highlighting the importance of upholding leave rights.
Dearica Hamby v. Las Vegas Aces and WNBA (2024)
WNBA player Dearica Hamby filed a federal lawsuit against her former team, the Las Vegas Aces, and the WNBA, alleging discrimination and retaliation after they learned of her pregnancy. Hamby claimed she faced intimidation and was ultimately traded to another team due to her pregnancy.
Raley’s Supermarket Settlement (2020)
In January 2020, a $2.8 million settlement was reached in a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of current and former Raley’s supermarket workers in California. The lawsuit alleged pregnancy discrimination, emphasizing the need for employers to provide appropriate accommodations and fair treatment to pregnant employees.
A Los Angeles Pregnancy Discrimination Lawyer Can Maximize Compensation
An experienced discrimination attorney can significantly maximize your compensation in a pregnancy discrimination claim. They will gather crucial evidence, such as communications and performance records, to prove discrimination and calculate all damages, including lost wages, emotional distress, and potential punitive damages. Attorneys can negotiate aggressively with your employer or their legal team to secure a fair settlement or take the case to court if necessary. A
dditionally, they will ensure your claim complies with filing deadlines and procedural requirements, increasing your chances of success while protecting your rights throughout the process. Call our pregnancy discrimination lawyers at (310) 499-0140 today.