Plaintiff alleges employer's violation of CFRA. $1.5M. Stanislaus County.
Summary
Government agency clerk is terminated after she takes leave for knee surgery.
The Case
- Case Name: Joann Sakurada v. Keyes Community Service District
- Court and Case Number: Stanislaus Superior Court / CV-23-000228
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Monday, December 16, 2024
- Date Action was Filed: Tuesday, January 17, 2023
- Type of Case: Discrimination, ADA, Wrongful Termination
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. John R. Mayne
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Plaintiffs: Joann Sakurada, 57
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Defendants: Keyes Community Service District
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $1,514,942
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Economic Damages:
$14,942
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Non-Economic Damages:
$1,500,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 7 days
- Jury Deliberation Time: 2 hours
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Employment Rights Lawyers, APC by Amir Seyedfarshi, Los Angeles.
Atticus Law Group by Jeffrey S. Ranen, Los Angeles.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Law Office of Dennis Hay by Dennis Hay, Proberta.
The Experts
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Defendant's Medical Expert(s):
Christopher Hajnik, M.D., orthopedic surgery.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
Plaintiff was employed as an office assistant for three years by defendant Keyes Community Services District. After plaintiff went out on an approved four-month leave of absence for knee surgery, defendant terminated her employment.
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
That defendant violated her CFRA rights by wrongfully terminating her and cancelling her health insurance. Further, that plaintiff was able to perform her job duties but there was no interactive process. That defendant failed to accommodate her request to return to work with restrictions.
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Defendant's Contentions:
Defendant denied any wrongdoing and contended that plaintiff was terminated based on her job performance.
Demands and Offers
- Plaintiff Final Demand before Trial: $1,250,000
- Defendant §998 Offer: $25,000