By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON – A Bloomington woman has won her appeal in a federal racial discrimination lawsuit against State Farm Insurance Co.
The U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals held last month that Carla Campbell-Jackson has presented sufficient facts for her hostile work environment and retaliation claims that were in her lawsuit which was filed in 2021.
The case had been dismissed after Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou in the Western District of Michigan had granted a motion for summary judgment by the insurance company’s attorneys.
Such a motion is a common occurrence in civil cases and usually involves one side telling the judge that there are not facts in dispute or that no jury could possibly rule against them.
The judge ruled in August 2023 that Campbell-Jackson’s claim she was retaliated against for making such claims is not supported. Campbell-Jackson immediately appealed.
Campbell-Jackson, who is also the first vice-president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, alleged she was racially harassed while working for the insurance company.
The suit claimed minority workers often received lower performance reviews and pay raises, among other things.
Campbell-Jackson also said she was fired after working for the insurance company for nearly 30 years because she complained about daily racist actions by others.
State Farm denies those claims saying she was fired for sharing confidential information.
Both sides will appear in court on Dec. 18 for a status hearing where future court dates could be set.
