A US matchmaking service has been ordered to pay financial damages for introducing a Ukrainian woman to a future husband whom she says beat her.
A federal jury in Baltimore awarded Nataliya Fox more than $430,000 (£233,695) after she sued Encounters International (EI) for negligence.
EI specialises in matchmaking women from the former Soviet Union with North American men online.
The firm denied any wrongdoing and its lawyers said it would appeal.
Watershed case?
The case is thought to be the first of its kind against an introduction service. Mrs Fox argued that EI failed to carry out sufficient background checks on her future husband.
Women's rights groups have hailed the damages award as a breakthrough for immigrant women.
"We know that the international matchmaking agencies are not taking any kind of care," the Baltimore Sun newspaper quoted Lesley Orloff of campaign group Legal Momentum as saying.
Nataliya and James Fox married in 1998 after meeting online through EI.
Mrs Fox told the court she had endured an abusive relationship and sought hospital treatment after Mr Fox beat her whilst she was breastfeeding their child.
Hospital staff testified that she had suffered bruises and broken chest bones in July 2002.
'Unjustified'
EI's founder Natasha Spivack told the court she had introduced two adults and was not responsible for the conduct of their relationship, the Associated Press reported.
"She's extremely disappointed at the result. She doesn't believe it was justified," said the firm's lawyer, Paul Zukerberg.
According to the firm's website, it has facilitated 257 marriages which have produced 103 children since it was founded in 1993.
Its website says the women it profiles "have a different outlook" on marriage to US women, being "less materialistic" and "more family oriented".
"As wives, they desire to build a loving home, follow their husband's lead and stick with the marriage, even when times get tough and stop being 'fun'.", it explains.
Mr Fox denied beating his ex-wife. He was not a defendant because of an earlier $115,000 settlement with her, AP reported.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4026511.stm
