Family Medical Leave/Disability Discrimination Legal verdicts, settlements & Judgments
- $6,500,000 verdict for MediCal caseworker denied accommodation by County of Sonoma for mental disability of agoraphobia. George Alberigi had worked for the County for over 25 years and had been named Employee of the Year. For most of that time the County accommodated his condition by allowing him to come to the office and talk to clients by phone. Suddenly and without good reasons the County decided to remove that accommodation and required him to meet clients face-to-face. As a result he became totally and permanently disabled. The jury award included $5 million for emotional distress damages, the highest such award ever in an employment case in Sonoma County.
- $1,679,001 verdict for juvenile correctional officer removed from position by County of Lake due to physical disability. Sharon Leuzinger had worked for Lake County for sixteen years when she was injured during a work softball game. Four years later, after undergoing successful surgery, she was terminated by the County for allegedly being undable to perform the essential functions of her position. In addition to lost wages, the federal court jury awarded her over $1.2 million in emotional distress damages.
- $1,000,000 settlement for dispatcher of large company fired after he developed Parkinson's Disease.
- $750,000 settlement for in-house patent attorney of pharmaceutical company terminated upon return from FMLA leave due to ankle fracture
- $750,000 settlement for male FedEx courier terminated for taking time off to treat severe gastroenteritis.
- $625,000 settlement for county sheriff who was fired after injuring his knee on the job and undergoing several surgeries.
- $475,000 settlement for female employee of public entity denied leave to treat breast cancer.
- $270,000 settlement for male laborer of large flooring company who was fired after suffering on-the-job injury.
- $250,000 verdict for 34 year old female FedEx courier terminated for taking time off to care for severe menstrual cramps.
- $200,000 pre-litigation settlement for female employee of large corporation fired while undergoing drug rehabilitation.
- Confidential settlement, including reinstatement, for male housekeeper at Bay Area hospital fired after taking sick leave.