Nava v. Santa Fe, 136 N.M. 647 (2004)

In Nava v. City of Santa Fe, the plaintiff, Officer Lorenzo Nava (a female police officer employed since 1993), brought a sexual harassment claim under the New Mexico Human Rights Act, alleging a hostile work environment. Nava asserted that beginning in 2000, her supervisor, Gallegos, engaged in near-daily harassment that included excessive monitoring, verbal aggression, denial of workplace privileges afforded to male officers, assignment of unfavorable duties (such as rape calls regardless of proximity), and physical intimidation, including an incident in which he threw a file folder at her. At trial, a jury found in Nava’s favor and awarded $285,000 in damages. Upon post-trial motion by the City, the trial court reduced the award to $90,250. Both Nava and the City appealed. The case highlights the evidentiary burden in hostile work environment claims under state anti-discrimination statutes and the judicial discretion to remit jury awards where deemed excessive.

Topics

• Employment discrimination
• Sexual harassment

Geographical location

• North America
• United States
• New Mexico

Keywords

• hostile work environment
• Human Rights Act
• civil damages

Year

• 2004

External URL

• Nava v. Santa Fe, 136 N.M. 647 (2004)

Court

• New Mexico Supreme Court

Type

• Domestic Case Law

Jurisdiction

• New Mexico