Cormier v. Pezrow New England, Inc.

Kenneth J. Cormier filed a complaint in the Superior Court for Hampden County, against his former employer, Pezrow New England, Inc. (Pezrow), alleging that his employment as a sales representative had been unlawfully terminated after twenty-five years because of his age, in violation of G. L. c. 151B, § 4 (IB). A jury returned a verdict in favor of Cormier, and assessed damages in the amount of $209,500. The trial judge ruled that Pezrow’s violation of G. L. c. 151B was “willful” and doubled the award of damages pursuant to G. L. c. 151B, § 9.

Before trial, Pezrow filed a motion to dismiss…