An Oregon Health & Science University employee who sued the institution last year, claiming she suffered harassment from a coworker, has settled her claim for $350,000.
The settlement agreement obtained by The Lund Report shows that Brandi Toscano will receive $210,000, with the rest going to her lawyers, Crispin Employment Law P.C. In her lawsuit, she sought $1 million in damages.
Toscano, a radiology technician, agreed in the settlement to end her lawsuit and file no more complaints against OHSU. It says she has no more grievances against the institution.
The agreement makes it clear that OHSU’s payout is not an admission of wrong doing.
Toscano was hired in 2012 as a student and became full-time in 2014. She was still working at OHSU when she filed the lawsuit but has since resigned. In the suit, she claimed she was harassed for two years by a peer who wanted to go out with her, cornered her in a closet and small exam rooms and stalked her after work in a threatening manner. She complained to her manager and the union -- the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- and OHSU’s affirmative action office investigated.
Toscano even got a protective stalking order against him and the employee was put on administrative leave, the suit said.
She could not be reached for comment, and OHSU did not respond to a request for comment.
Another former OHSU employee, Dr. Erica Mitchell, a vascular surgeon, also sued OHSU, claiming she was discriminated against as a woman. Her case was settled for an undisclosed sum. Another discrimination suit, brought by a cardiology specialist, Dr. Rupa Bala, is still in the U.S. District Court in Portland.
You can reach Lynne Terry at [email protected] or on Twitter @LynnePDX.
