Doctors Allege Anti-Semitism at Colorado University School of Medicine near Denver.

Nine doctors have accused the University of Colorado School of Medicine of anti-Semitism and age discrimination in a letter delivered to the Colorado University Board of Regents earlier this year.  The nine took the unusual step of asking regents to look into the charges of discrimination and mistreatment in the School of Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology, chaired by Dr. Vesna Todorovic.  The letter, provided to Colorado Politics, says the university recently lost a federal lawsuit filed by Dr. Jeffrey Gonzales, a former member of the anesthesiology department. A jury found that he had been retaliated against by the university for his claims of discrimination on Dec. 20 and awarded Gonzales $500,000 for lost wages and an additional $180,000 for non-economic damages.

Discriminatory practices.

The faculty who claim to have been targeted work at either Children’s Hospital, the Colorado University School of Medicine or both, but all are under the Department of Anesthesiology. Two of the three remaining Jewish doctors are functioning under “letters of expectation” and fear for their jobs. An investigation into the matter was performed by the outside group Employment Compliance Solutions.

Workplace discrimination occurs when an individual is adversely discriminated against due to a multitude of factors defined by law.  If an individual fears for their job, they should consult with an attorney who specializes in employment law.  Colorado and Federal employment laws prohibit workplace discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. If an employee is wrongfully terminated based on any of these characteristics or traits, they can recover damages, including attorney fees, from their employer.

Wrongful termination.

Employees have rights to fight back against wrongful termination, and discrimination.  They can complain informally to their employer, file a formal complaint, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or Colorado Civil Rights Division, or file a lawsuit.   A successful discrimination legal action will be based on verifiable proof of the infraction and will be judged against the EEOC definitions according to the type of discrimination claimed.

Legal counsel and damages.

An employment law attorney can assist with the determination of  damages to remedy intangible injuries such as emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, pain and suffering, injury to professional community standing, injury to reputation and character, injury to credit and loss of health. Economic damages are easier to quantify and include potential moving expenses, job search expenses, medical expenses, behavioral health expenses, and out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the workplace discrimination.  Call the Law Office of Anderson Barkley  for a complimentary consultation to discuss your discrimination case.

Anderson Barkley Attorneys at Law

3900 E. Mexico Ave., Suite 300
Denver, CO 80210

Phone: (720) 506-1764
Fax: (303) 927-0809

Sources:

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/human-rights-and-community-partnerships/our-offices/anti-discrimination.html

https://www.sec.gov/eeoinfo/antidiscrimination.htm