Minnesota Statutes 181.956 – Remedies
Subdivision 1.Exhaustion.
An employee or collective bargaining agent may bring an action under this section only after first exhausting all applicable grievance procedures and arbitration proceeding requirements under a collective bargaining agreement; provided that, an employee’s right to bring an action under this section is not affected by a decision of a collective bargaining agent not to pursue a grievance.
Subd. 2.Damages.
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 181.956
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 181.956
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44
In addition to any other remedies provided by law, an employer or laboratory that violates sections 181.950 to 181.954 is liable to an employee or job applicant injured by the violation in a civil action for any damages allowable at law. If a violation is found and damages awarded, the court may also award reasonable attorney fees for a cause of action based on a violation of sections 181.950 to 181.954 if the court finds that the employer knowingly or recklessly violated sections 181.950 to 181.954.
Subd. 3.Injunctive relief.
An employee or job applicant, a state, county, or city attorney, or a collective bargaining agent who fairly and adequately represents the interests of the protected class has standing to bring an action for injunctive relief requesting the district court to enjoin an employer or laboratory that commits or proposes to commit an act in violation of sections 181.950 to 181.954.
Subd. 4.Other equitable relief.
Upon finding a violation of sections 181.950 to 181.954, or as part of injunctive relief granted under subdivision 3, a court may, in its discretion, grant any other equitable relief it considers appropriate, including ordering the injured employee or job applicant reinstated with back pay.