NYSDA Publications

Second Circuit United States Court of Appeals Upholds New York Dental Practice Sexual Harassment Liability With Nominal Damages

Dec 29, 2024
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Connecticut, New York, Vermont) has issued a decision, Qorrolli v. Metropolitan Dental Associates, upholding a finding of liability of a dental practice under the New York City Human Rights Law for sex discrimination based on sexual harassment of a dental hygienist, but also upholding a finding of only nominal damages for the dental hygienist.  The case is interesting because it illustrates the standard of proof needed under sex discrimination/sexual harassment cases, particularly in New York City.  It is also a classic example of the cost of litigation versus the rewards of litigation.  The case could be appealed to the United States Supreme Court, but no such appeal has been filed yet.  A complete copy of the court opinion can be read here: Qorrolli v Metropolitan Dental Associates Court Opinion and accessed at the following link: https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/befefc90-da94-4615-83bd-5343180c23bf/2/doc/23-282_opn.pdf#xml=https://ww3.ca2.uscourts.gov/decisions/isysquery/befefc90-da94-4615-83bd-5343180c23bf/2/hilite/.