Employment

Hollywood creative director wrongfully terminated for reporting boss's coke use; $450,000 verdict; settlement before punitive phase. Los Angeles County.

Plaintiff is terminated after he complains of his boss's drug use at work. Plaintiff contends that his boss's connections to lucrative clients and involvement in a company merger was major factor in plaintiff's being terminated.

  • Case Name: Andrew MacDonald v. Ascent Media Group, Inc., et al
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, October 22, 2012
  • Show Details

UPS supervisor receives $18 million verdict for wrongful termination/retaliation. Los Angeles County.

Plaintiff claimed violations of safety regulations and wage/hour law after working many years for UPS. After a failed attempt at a class-action, plaintiff filed individual suit and encouraged many other managers to do the same. Plaintiff said he was fired after an incident fabricated by defendant. Jury awards substantial punitive damages.

  • Case Name: Michael Marlo v. United Parcel Service, Inc.
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, August 23, 2012
  • Show Details

$1.96 million to inventor of diesel fuel additive for breach of implied employment contract. Los Angeles County.

Inventor says company unfairly cut his profit-sharing in product he developed, marketed and sold.  Company wrongly claimed he was an at-will employee.

  • Case Name: George Sturges, Jr. v. Kern Fuels Research, LLC, et al.
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, July 25, 2012
  • Show Details

$6 million jury verdict for truck driver whose employer insisted he make deliveries in dangerous weather. Sacramento County.

Employer required hazardous materials truck driver to make deliveries in severe storm, then insisted he return for more after his shift even though he informed employer he had been drinking after work. He was fired for not returning to work.

  • Case Name: Webb v. Ramos Oil Company
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, July 12, 2012
  • Show Details

$90 million to security guards in class action over break time. Los Angeles County.

Security company required guards to be "on duty" during rest breaks, violating Labor Code.  Award made by judge in summary judgment.

  • Case Name: Jennifer Augustus v. American Commercial Security Services
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Thursday, July 05, 2012
  • Show Details

$75,290 jury verdict for employment disability discrimination; stipulated judgment of $175,000 prior to punitive damages phase. Orange County.

Plaintiff was fired from her job one day after requesting medical leave.

  • Case Name: Maly Sun v. Transit Air Cargo Inc.
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, March 07, 2012
  • Show Details

$167 million record verdict for wrongful termination of surgical aide at Catholic hospital. Sacramento County.

Physician's assistant in surgical unit says hospital ignored her repeated written complaints about verbal sexual harassment by doctors, lax safety practices and meal-and-rest breaks.

  • Case Name: Ani Chopourian v. Catholic Healthcare West d.b.a. Mercy General Hospital and Mercy General Hospital
  • Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, February 28, 2012
  • Show Details

Surgeon blows the whistle at UCLA Medical Center. $10 million settlement at trial. Los Angeles County.

Whistleblower surgeon alleges UCLA allows docs to take medical industry payments that could compromise patient care. $10 million settlement after 2-month trial.

  • Case Name: Robert Pedowitz, M.D. v. The Regents of the University of California, et al.
  • Monday, 21 April 2014
  • Show Details