Miller V. Coventry Holding Group, Inc.

Case Background

On August 8, 2023, Plaintiff Dedria Miller filed an employment lawsuit against Coventry Holding Group, Inc. The lawsuit alleged that Miller’s termination was in retaliation to the sexual harassment and assault complaint she had filed against Defendant’s Business Office Manager, Barbra Clark.

The case was filed in the United States District Court, Georgia Northern (Atlanta). The lawsuit was assigned to Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr. [Case number: 1:23cv2064]

Cause

On July 1, 2018, Plaintiff began working for Defendant as a Housekeeper. In February 2021, Plaintiff received training to become a Certified Nurse Assistant and worked overtime in that role. On January 25, 2022, Defendant hired Barbra Clark as a Business Office Manager.

Starting in January 2022, Ms. Clark made sexually explicit comments toward Plaintiff, suggesting they were romantically involved. Plaintiff rejected her advances, stated she was not interested, and asked Ms. Clark to stop spreading false claims. However, Ms. Clark continued, making inappropriate remarks and proposals, including taking Plaintiff to Las Vegas and commenting on her body.

To deter Ms. Clark, Plaintiff changed her appearance by removing nails and wearing baggy clothes, but Ms. Clark’s behavior escalated. On February 17, 2022, Ms. Clark touched Plaintiff inappropriately, slapping her buttocks without consent. Despite Plaintiff’s protests, Ms. Clark ignored her objections. On February 25, Ms. Clark escalated by rubbing her body against Plaintiff’s breasts.

On March 17, 2022, Ms. Clark slapped Plaintiff’s buttocks again in front of colleagues and falsely claimed they were dating. Plaintiff denied the claims and reiterated her discomfort. Later, Ms. Clark accused Plaintiff of flirting with movers and yelled at her. On March 18, 2022, Ms. Clark physically restrained Plaintiff in a bear hug, but Plaintiff broke free and escaped.

Management Intervention and Plaintiff’s Termination

On March 18, 2022, Plaintiff reported Ms. Clark’s behavior to her supervisor, Wilda Johnson, stating she felt unsafe. Although Ms. Johnson assured Plaintiff that the issue would be escalated, no immediate action followed. On March 20, 2022, Plaintiff filed a police report detailing Ms. Clark’s misconduct. On March 21, Plaintiff met with executives, including Deborah Osterhaudt and Chad Evans, to discuss her complaint. However, the meeting was cut short, and Plaintiff continued to feel unsafe, locking herself in a resident apartment to avoid Ms. Clark.

Despite reporting the harassment, Defendant terminated Plaintiff’s employment on March 24, 2022. Plaintiff alleged this action was retaliatory and that Defendant’s stated justification was a pretext, as individuals outside her protected class were treated more favorably.

Damages

Plaintiff suffered damages, including lost wages and emotional distress, due to Defendant’s retaliation and termination.

  • Plaintiff sought general damages for mental and emotional suffering caused by Defendant’s misconduct.
  • Plaintiff requested punitive damages, citing Defendant’s willful, malicious, and intentional actions, including ratifying and approving such acts.
  • Plaintiff pursued special or liquidated damages to recover lost wages, benefits, and prejudgment interest.
  • Plaintiff sought reasonable attorney’s fees and litigation expenses incurred.
  • Plaintiff requested a jury trial on all contested issues.
  • Plaintiff sought prejudgment interest as allowed by law.
  • Plaintiff requested declaratory relief affirming that Defendant violated statutory rights.
  • Plaintiff sought injunctive relief requiring reinstatement or front pay as an alternative.
  • Plaintiff asked for an order prohibiting Defendant from engaging in further unlawful conduct.
  • Plaintiff requested any additional relief deemed appropriate under the circumstances.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Dedria Miller
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Aaron B. Maduff | Amanda A. Farahany | Katherine A. Cantolina| Matthew C. Billips
  • Defendant(s): Coventry Holding Group, Inc.
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Jill Thrasher Young | Stephen Gervaise Quinn

Claims

In her complaint, Plaintiff alleged claims of retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Plaintiff asserted that Defendant unlawfully and intentionally retaliated against her by terminating her employment because of her protected activity. Plaintiff further alleged that Defendant acted willfully and wantonly, disregarding her rights, and undertook the retaliatory actions in bad faith. As a result, Plaintiff claimed Defendant was liable for the damages she sustained due to the unlawful retaliation.

Defense

The Defendant denied the allegations of retaliation raised in the Plaintiff’s Complaint. The Defendant requested the court to dismiss the Complaint with prejudice, effectively barring the Plaintiff from bringing the same claims again. Furthermore, Defendant sought to have all costs associated with the legal proceedings taxed against Plaintiff.

Jury Verdict

On November 6, 2024, the jury found that Defendant took adverse employment action against Plaintiff due to her protected activity, causing Plaintiff damages. The jury awarded the Plaintiff $110,925.00 for past lost wages and benefits and $100,000.00 for emotional pain and anguish.

Additionally, the jury concluded that a managerial employee of Defendant acted with malice or reckless indifference toward Plaintiff’s federally protected rights. Consequently, the jury decided to impose punitive damages and awarded $95,000.00 in this regard.

The court entered a judgment totaling $305,925.00 in favor of the Plaintiff and against the Defendant. This judgment included costs and interest at the legal rate from November 6, 2024, until full payment was made.

Court Documents:

Available upon request