MUNDELL v. ACADIA HOSPITAL CORP et al

Filing 47

ORDER ON DAMAGES granting 42 Motion for Order By JUDGE LANCE E. WALKER. (CJD)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MAINE
CLARE E. MUNDELL,
Plaintiff,
v.
ACADIA HOSPITAL CORP. and
EASTERN MAINE HEALTHCARE
SYSTEMS,
Defendants.

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No. 1:21-cv-00004-LEW

ORDER ON DAMAGES
On February 8, 2022, I granted summary judgment to Plaintiff on her claim of
gender-based pay discrimination in violation of the Maine Equal Pay Law, 26 M.R.S. §
628. In my order, I held that Plaintiff was entitled to “unpaid wages” for the time that she
was unlawfully underpaid by Defendant Acadia Hospital Corp. (“Acadia”), plus “a
reasonable rate of interest, costs of suit including a reasonable attorney’s fee, and an
additional amount equal to twice the amount of unpaid wages as liquidated damages.” 26
M.R.S. § 626-A. However, I withheld a final determination of damages because neither
party had provided facts to establish the amount of unpaid wages owing to Plaintiff.
Plaintiff now requests damages in the amount of $180,955.90. See Pl’s Mot. (ECF
No. 42). The parties have jointly stipulated that Plaintiff “worked a total of 1,447.9 hours
for Acadia” while being underpaid at a rate of approximately $40 per hour. See Stipulation
on Remedies 2 (ECF No. 41). This amounts to $57,916 in unpaid wages, and $115,832 in

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liquidated damages. I also find that Plaintiff’s requested interest of $7,207.90 is
“reasonable” as called for by the Maine Equal Pay Law. Acadia does not object to
Plaintiff’s requested award, and instead merely reasserts its view that a plaintiff who
prevails under MEPL is not entitled to treble damages. See Def.’s Opp’n (ECF No. 43).
Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion for Order on Damages (ECF No. 42) is GRANTED,
and Acadia is ordered to pay damages to Plaintiff in the amount of $180,955.90.
SO ORDERED.
Dated this 9th day of May, 2022.
/s/ Lance E. Walker
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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