The Case

• Case Name: Simmons v. TKE Engineering, Inc.
• Court and Case Number: Riverside County Superior Court / CVRI2306608
• Date of Verdict or Judgment: Friday, January 09, 2026
• Date Action was Filed: Friday, December 08, 2023
• Type of Case: Employment, Wrongful Termination
• Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Dorothy McLaughlin
• Plaintiffs:
  Brittany Simmons
• Defendants:
  TKE Engineering, Inc.
• Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

• Gross Verdict or Award: $472,451.03
• Award as to each Defendant: Per defense counsel: The jury also ruled that defendant did not discriminate against plaintiff based on her pregnancy, did not harass plaintiff on the basis of her pregnancy, and did not act out of malice, oppression, or fraud.
• Jury found that defendant failed to provide pregnancy accommodations, retaliated against plaintiff, failed to prevent retaliation and wrongfully discharged the plaintiff.

The Attorneys

• Attorney for the Plaintiff:

  Yash Law Group by Yashdeep Singh, Brea.

• Attorney for the Defendant:

  Brown, White & Osborn LLP by Eric D. Anderson.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background: Plaintiff worked for TKE Engineering, Inc. from January 23, 2023 through November 3, 2023 as a marketing proposal coordinator. She became pregnant during her employment with TKE Engineering, Inc. She needed, and requested, accommodations for her pregnancy. Ultimately, TKE Engineering terminated plaintiff.
• Plaintiff's Contentions: That plaintiff was pregnant during her employment with TKE Engineering and informed her employer. Plaintiff needed and requested accommodations for her pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, including a modified job schedule for her doctor's appointments. TKE Engineering then fired plaintiff based on hearsay statements and unsubstantiated performance issues. Plaintiff was seven months pregnant at the time she was fired. Plaintiff alleged TKE Engineering failed to provide reasonable pregnancy accommodations, discriminated and retaliated against her, harassed her, and wrongfully terminated her in violation of public policy.
• Defendant employer failed to provide reasonable accommodations to plaintiff. It required plaintiff to miss doctor's appointments; it failed to provide plaintiff notice of her pregnancy rights, and it interfered with plaintiff while she was absent from work due to her pregnancy. Plaintiff complained to the senior VP/co-owner of the company and office manager. In response, TKE Engineering retaliated against her. Defendant placed plaintiff on an unfair probation.
• Defendant's Contentions: That defendant knew plaintiff was pregnant and accommodated her. Plaintiff was able to attend doctor's appointments on most occasions. TKE Engineering denied being aware of missed doctor's appointment during plaintiff's employment.
• That defendant fired plaintiff for performance-related issues. That plaintiff was notified, in writing, of her performance issues prior to her termination.

Demands and Offers

• Defendant Final Offer before Trial: $125,000