Monell v. New York City Dept. of Social Services
Encyclopedia
Monell v. City of New York Department of Social Services, was a case decided by the United States Supreme Court in which the Court overruled Monroe v. Pape
in holding that government agencies qualify as "persons" under Section 1983.
The case began in July of 1971 as a challenge to the New York City Board of Education's forced maternity leave policies. In a different lawsuit in 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities were liable for damages under the Civil Rights Act. Following the decision, New York settled for $375,500, to be divided among all women employees placed on forced maternity leave from July 1968 to the time of the case being filed. New York increased the money available for compensations to $11 million after an unexpectedly large response from women to notices announcing the settlement. The claims were paid in the fall of 1981.
This resolution created a precedent that for the first time established local government accountability for unconstitutional acts and created the right to obtain damages from municipalities in such cases.
Monroe v. Pape
Monroe v. Pape, , was a United States Supreme Court case that considered the application of Federal Civil Rights law to constitutional violations by city employees.- Background :...
in holding that government agencies qualify as "persons" under Section 1983.
The case began in July of 1971 as a challenge to the New York City Board of Education's forced maternity leave policies. In a different lawsuit in 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities were liable for damages under the Civil Rights Act. Following the decision, New York settled for $375,500, to be divided among all women employees placed on forced maternity leave from July 1968 to the time of the case being filed. New York increased the money available for compensations to $11 million after an unexpectedly large response from women to notices announcing the settlement. The claims were paid in the fall of 1981.
This resolution created a precedent that for the first time established local government accountability for unconstitutional acts and created the right to obtain damages from municipalities in such cases.