A California jury has awarded a former model on “The Price is Right” more than $7.7 million in punitive damages after determining the show discriminated against her because of her pregnancy.
The decision came on Wednesday, one day after the jury determined producers discriminated against Brandi Cochran. They awarded her nearly $777,000 in actual damages.
The show’s producers, FremantleMedia North America and The Price is Right Productions, vow to appeal the verdict and say they expect to be vindicated.
Cochran said she was spurned by the producers of the show when she tried to return from maternity leave in 2010.
Producers said they were satisfied with the five models they had when the 41-year-old sought to return.
Cochran says she is humbled by the award and hopes it raises issues of pregnancy discrimination in all workplaces.
