PORTLAND – A former Portland woman who accused the U.S. Postal Service of sexual harassment has been awarded $1 million.

Jurors who announced their verdict Thursday in federal court in Portland found that Stephanie Berry’s supervisors created a hostile work environment by intimidating, ridiculing and insulting her.

Berry’s lawyer, Joseph Hahn, said the abuse made his client physically sick to the point she could no longer work. Berry now lives in Florida.

“Abusive treatment of women, or any employee, in the workplace is intolerable,” Hahn said.

Jurors deliberated for 21/2 hours before returning the verdict.

Calls to the U.S. Postal Service on Friday were not immediately returned.

The jury’s decision was the third verdict against the Postal Service in Portland for sexual harassment in five years.

Judith Coffin’s estate was awarded $5.5 million after she committed suicide in 1995 because of harassment and discrimination at work. Diane Kelly was awarded $330,000 for harassment that took place in 1997. Hahn said the Postal Service has been slow to get the message.