The January 18, 2018, Richard DaPrato v Massachusetts Water Resources Authority $1,235,000 jury verdict has generated national media attention. Mr. DaPrato sued the MWRA for firing him because he took medical leave for foot surgery and planned future leave. He sued the MWRA in Suffolk Superior Court based on claims for discrimination and retaliation under the Family Medical Leave Act…
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Developments in the Dynamic World
of Business and Employment Law
On April 1, 2018, An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, (“PWFA”) goes into effect. All employers in Massachusetts should be aware of this law. The PWFA extends the protections of Massachusetts anti-discrimination law (Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151B) to pregnant workers within the Commonwealth, and grants additional safeguards for pregnant workers seeking workplace accommodations relating to their…
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A Suffolk County jury today awarded $1,235,000 to Richard DaPrato against the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA). In reaching today’s verdict, the jury concluded that the MWRA deliberately retaliated against Mr. DaPrato after 11 years of unblemished service by firing him for taking medical leave for surgery, and for requesting future leave. Mr. DaPrato was represented by David E. Belfort…
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Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly sought commentary from Bennett & Belfort partner, Eric LeBlanc, in its article on a recent U.S. Bankruptcy Court decision concerning a contract worker’s claim against her former employer’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy estate for severance pay. (“At-will worker can seek severance against bankruptcy estate: Company’s failure to offer benefits deemed retaliatory,” Mass. Lawyers Weekly, December 21, 2017.) Dr.…
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We are pleased to announce that Bennett and Belfort, P.C. managing partner, David E. Belfort, was quoted in the December 21, 2017 issue of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in a cover page article entitled, “Breach-of-fiduciary claim vs. accountant allowed.” http://masslawyersweekly.com/2017/12/21/breach-of-fiduciary-duty-claim-vs-accountant-allowed/. The article discusses a Suffolk Superior Court decision coming out of the Business Litigation Session authored by Hon. Judge Leibensperger on…
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The MCLE (Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education) New England held its annual Employment Law Conference on December 8, 2017, and Bennett & Belfort partner Eric R. LeBlanc was one of two attorneys selected to lecture and moderate discussion in a breakout session entitled “The Interactive Process: Everything You Need to Know and Understand to Advise Your Clients and Litigate Your…
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Bennett and Belfort, P.C. partner, Todd Bennett, was quoted in the November 29, 2017 Boston Business Journal article entitled, “Biotech’s #MeToo Moment.” https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/11/29/biotech-s-metoo-moment-lawyers-say-bias-harassment.html. The article is about the recent uptick in claims of sexual harassment and gender discrimination being brought by female employees in the biotech industry. Attorney Bennett stated that in his experience, there remains an “inaccurate stereotype among…
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Someone pays a contractor, but the work is not done, or the work violates the building code. A vendor has “hidden fees,” or falsely states in its advertising that it has adequate insurance to cover damage to property. These are examples of “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” from which a consumer can seek relief under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter…
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