The Los Angeles Superior Court panel deliberated for about an hour on May 5 before finding in favor of plaintiff La’Terra Veal in her claims for sexual and racial harassment, failure to prevent harassment and retaliation.
Veal also maintained she was treated with suspicion by management and passed over for promotions because of her race. Hired in 2017, she endured sexual harassment and racial discrimination throughout her employment — that included being called the “N-word” and a “stupid Black (epithet)” by a resident — and was ultimately fired the next year in retaliation for her complaints, her suit stated. One of Veal’s harasser residents groped her breasts, stalked her around the facility on his scooter in order to limit her movement and waited for her in the parking lot when she arrived and departed, the suit states. Veal allegedly so feared the man that she called upon co-workers and security guards to help shield her.
Veal was so afraid of the harassing resident that she suffered panic attacks while at work, her court papers stated. When she reported her concerns to management, she was told that residents have rights and that enduring racist and sexual harassment from them “was an expected and tolerated part of working in the facility,” Veal’s curt papers stated. The stress from the ongoing harassment, and management’s alleged indifference, caused Veal to have a miscarriage while she was at work, her court papers stated.
The agency maintained Veal was fired for legitimate reasons and that the state Department of Social Services, which licenses CalVet, had informed them that Veal could not be physically present at the facility due to a March 2019 misdemeanor criminal conviction that was dismissed in November 2020.
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Tom says
It is sad, but if you’re a nurse you know you are going to be harassed, called names, groped. I sadly can’t support the award amount given. She knew what she was getting into picking this career, especially working in a VA facility. Thats like a dog catcher thinking he will never step in dog crap. Crap happens we can’t award everyone millions for doing their jobs.
Tim Scott says
While your observations on how nurses are treated by patients are sadly accurate, there is no excuse to be made for the employer. If your response to an employee reporting a physical assault is “too bad, get back in there” you are going to get sued, and rightfully so.
Rosie says
Opinions like yours are the reason nurses and healthcare staff are quitting left and right. They went into the field to help, not to be abused by those they care for. You’re excusing a man’s sexual misconduct just because he’s a vet? Disgusting. No one should have to put up with abuse. It may happen, but management should be firm and do everything they can to protect staff. She deserves the money she was awarded. This just shows that you think disgusting behavior such as that man’s is ok and that you will probably do the same and make the same excuses. Do better.
Lina says
To bad they shouldn’t force anybody to get what they don’t want in their bodies suck it up.
Lae says
nah pal, it should never EVER be tolerated in any job. i’m sure you’d change your tune if this happened to you or one of your family members
such a disgusting take. do better.
Mike says
Wow.
A racist veteran?
Who knew?
Let’s give them more benefits. Maybe that will make them happy and they’ll tone down the racism.
Advocate Anne says
Simple Tom… she was a nurse at a Residential Care Facility for Vets… not a hospital but a living community of mobile and competent retirees… in one of the most racist towns in California. No one signs up to be harassed… The problem in this situation is that over a dozen Black employees filed complaints, all the way from state agencies to federal and were denied due process. The harassment came from white male supervisors, administrators, and Dr. Ancheta is also chair of AVPH… giving us all the perfect example of systemic racism… The same corrupt leadership continues throughout the AV… so take several seats, Simple Tom… It’s not the career, it’s insignificant, incompetent hillbillies like you who just can’t let our Black women be great.
Carolyn Deruso says
It’s a sad thing to know that a nurse is trying to do her job and has to be subjected to the treatment received. This could mean that possibly a nurse might need to carry a weapon with them to ward off possible violent attacks too them. I live at this facility and I am a woman of color this incident caused me too start locking my door at night feeling very insecure about my safety!!!
Sheral says
This abuse has been condoned by Calvet Lancaster for years. The current administrator Elvie hides everything and does not care about employees or residents, only her “political” ideas.
Really? says
Will someone please call me a $3.5 million dollar bad word? I’d like to suffer that way too.
Lae says
it wasn’t just the racial harassment, but even if it were, it wasn’t just one incident – it was many. no one should be verbally abused, even by so-called veterans
Advocate Anne says
Really? Is reading a challenge for you? You just read a highlight of heavily condensed systemic problems at this Home. Black people, staff and Black residents had to endure extreme racism from not just other residents, but administration as well. This is THOROUGHLY documented
ACE says
GIVE HER MILLIONS –
POOR WOMAN –
JUST IMAGINE –
***
Frank Rizzo says
Hurt feelings lawsuits. Lol
Lae says
it wasn’t just hurt feelings. she was assaulted by a resident then fired after she reported it