PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday September 6, 2018, a $500,000 judgment was entered in favor of Dr. Kaede Ota and against the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (“CHOP”) in the case she filed for pregnancy discrimination and retaliation. Dr. Ota’s complaint sets forth detailed facts involving her treatment by her supervisor, Dr. Robert W. Doms, after she initially advised him of her pregnancy and later, after she repeatedly raised concerns about pregnancy discrimination at his hands. Judgment was accepted in federal court in Philadelphia. 

Dr. Ota was represented by Stephen G. Console, Laura C. Mattiacci and Katherine C. Oeltjen all of Console Mattiacci Law in Philadelphia. Stephen Console stated the following, “Dr. Ota is to be praised for her courage and conviction in bringing this lawsuit and in not being willing to accept anything short of a complete victory and a publicly filed judgment. Any other female employee of CHOP who feels discriminated against because of her sex or pregnancy now knows that she is not alone and that victims of abuse of power can prevail in demanding that their civil rights be upheld.”

This judgment stands in stark contrast to situations where companies pay settlements that require strict confidentiality agreements and allow discrimination to be swept under the rug.  By demanding a publicly filed judgment, victims of discrimination can expose those who have abused their power and, hopefully, help prevent the next employee from being victimized. 

Dr. Ota stated, “This is an important win for all physician moms who have experienced discrimination in the workplace or have faced backlash when they raised concerns. I came forward with my story because I believe that we, the healthcare community, need to determine how to ensure that women who bear children are treated equally, and with respect.  My hope is that this win will mobilize our community toward this end.”

About Console Mattiacci Law, LLC
Console Mattiacci Law, LLC is an employment rights law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Moorestown, New Jersey. Since its inception in 1990, the firm has focused its practice on the representation of current, former and potential employees concerning workrelated matters. The lawyers at Console Mattiacci Law, LLC counsel whistleblower-employees who have been retaliated against and individuals who have been victimized by illegal employment discrimination and retaliation, including sex, race, religion, disability and age discrimination and sexual harassment at work. They also represent employees concerning medical leaves, disability benefits, wage and hour claims, employment contracts, severance agreements, stock option plans, and class action lawsuits. For more information visit: www.consolelaw.com or call Console Mattiacci Law, LLC at 215-545-7676.