Decades-Old Discrimination Lawsuit Wraps Up

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CBS News

December 21, 2010

BRIDGEPORT — What’s believed to be the longest-running race discrimination case in the history of the United States has come to an end.

The lawsuit filed 32 years ago by a small group of black police officers in Bridgeport has concluded, following a complete revision of policies in the police department.

Attorney Antonio Ponvert, who represented the minority officers, says, for years, the discrimination was pervasive.

“Unconscionable mistreatment of black officers and a hostile working environment that was really second to none” is how Ponvert described the situation to WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.

Ponvert says the suit was brought by courageous officers who, back in 1978, put themselves and their jobs on the line when it was a dangerous thing to do.

Case Results

Koskoff Attorneys Sean McElligott and Josh Koskoff Win $6.5 million Verdict Against Danbury Hospital  
A jury Thursday found Danbury Hospital negligent in the 2006 death of a Newtown furniture mover... read more

Koskoff Attorney Antonio Ponvert Wins $41.7 million Verdict for his Client
Conn. student disabled on school trip wins $41.7M... read more

KK&B Attorneys Win Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in CT
A Norwalk couple was awarded $58.6 million Wednesday, a record for a single incident of medical malpractice in Connecticut, in a case involving an obstetrician accused of waiting too long to perform a cesarean section and a boy who has cerebral palsy... read more

Community Involvement

Firm Sponsors Reel Law film series
Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder is pleased to sponsor the Reel Law film series at The Bijou Theatre in downtown Bridgeport. The next film is The Verdict on Thursday, May 9. Click here for more information and to view the full schedule of movies and dates, or visit us on Facebook.

Koskoff Attorney Richard Bieder speaks to Rotary Club about 9-11 and Trial Lawyers Care
Vin Simko introduced Attorney Richard Bieder, of Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, a firm nationally known for representing individual and class action cases resulting from mass disasters, consumer rights, personal injuries, commercial fraud and misrepresentation and other matters. read more

Firm Donates $100,000 to Hospital
Attorney Chris Bernard of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder said his firm has donated $100,000 to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. The funds have covered the cost of specialized medical equipment... read more