Recent Successes for Jacob M. Hargraves:

Lawsuits and Settlements:

Ms. Echols has obtained significant confidential settlements in the following cases:

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against the Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center for violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), when it terminated an employee that suffered from epilepsy.

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against The Woodlands Nursing and Retirement Center d/b/a Brookewood Nursing Center for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it terminated an employee that suffered from epilepsy.

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against Triumph Group, d/b/a ChemFab, for violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when it terminated an employee that was HIV positive.

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against Henderson State University for a claim of sexual harassment of a student of the University by an employee.

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against Aerocell Sructures, Inc. for workplace sexual harassment.

  • Successfully pursued and obtained long term disability benefits from Fortis Insurance for a 24 year old client that had gastroparesis.

  • A favorable settlement was obtained against the United States Postal Service for workplace sexual harassment.

    Reported Cases:

    Island v. Buena Vista Resort, 352 Ark. 548 (Ark. 2003) The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled as a matter of first impression that the Arkansas Civil Rights Act (ACRA) provided protection to employees from workplace sexual harassment. Prior to trial, the case was resolved favorably for an undisclosed settlement amount.

    Carpenter v. Mills, 2005 WL 1785250 (E.D. Ark. 2005)
    District Court Judge ruled that the Plaintiff, a pro se inmate in Poinsett County, could not prove a custom or policy of the County which was a driving force for any alleged constitutional violations.

    Allen v. Munnerlyn, 2005 WL 2002414 (E.D. Ark. 2005)
    District Court Judge ruled that the Plaintiff, a pro se inmate in Prairie County, could not establish that the County Defendants were deliberately indifferent to his serious medical needs.

    Spears v. City of Fordyce, 351 Ark. 305 (Ark. 2002)
    The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that a factual issue remained for trial regarding whether a front-end loader used by the City of Fordyce was considered special mobile equipment and was subject to the vehicle registration requirements. At trial, the jury determined that the front-end loader used by the City of Fordyce was not special mobile equipment, and the City did not err in not registering the front-end loader.

    American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 380 v. Hot Spring County, 362 F.Supp.2d 1035 (W.D. Ark. 2004)
    District Court Judge ruled that Hot Spring County properly terminated a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), and the CBA did not continue from year to year.

    Doe v. Baum, 348 Ark. 259 (Ark. 2002)
    The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that the Fountain Lake School District did not have a statutory obligation to provide liability insurance for a student that was sexually assaulted by another student on a school bus.