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Ex-Rite Aid Worker Awarded $8.2M For Harassment

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 24-year Rite-Aid employee fired in 2007 received $8.2 million in punitive and compensatory damages for what Los Angeles jurors ruled was disability discrimination and retaliation.

After the punitive damages were awarded Tuesday, 45-year-old Maria C. Martinez of Covina told City News Service the results were social justice.

The defense claimed Martinez had a poor work history with several bosses.

Her attorney countered that after she took some disability leaves because of a psychiatric illness, she was called names like "basket case," "bipolar" and "crazy." She was also transferred from store to store. 

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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