Featured Verdict: Los Angeles Jury Awards Whopping $28 Million in Punitive Damages in Age Discrimination Case

Case No. BC584994 – Codie Rael v. Sybron Dental Specialties, Inc., et al.

A California jury awarded a $31.1 Million verdict, including $28 Million in punitive damages, against defendants Sybron Dental Specialties Inc. and KaVo Kerr Group (both subsidiaries of Washington-based tech company Danaher Corp.) for age discrimination in the workplace.

Plaintiff Codie Rael, a 58-year-old woman from Ontario, California, alleged that she was subject to repeated harassment and discrimination on basis of her age and sex. Plaintiff alleged that she was told things such as “you are outdated” and “we need younger workers in here” while receiving increased workloads from her former employers. Plaintiff further alleged that she was denied the training, support and career advancement that other, younger, employees were provided by her former employers. Plaintiff alleged that such harassment and discrimination took place over the period of several years. Ultimately, the Plaintiff alleged that she was compelled to quit her job. Plaintiff thereby initiated the underlying lawsuit against Defendant in which Plaintiff alleged wrongful termination as well as harassment and discrimination based on her age and sex. Plaintiff thereby sought economic and punitive damages for such alleged misconduct.

The Defendant denied all allegations.

The jury concluded by an entry of judgement in favor of Plaintiff. The jury thereby awarded a verdict of $31.1 Million, including $3 Million in compensatory damages and over $28 Million in punitive damages. The court ordered the two defendant companies to pay the Plaintiff $16,000 Million and $12,000 Million, respectively, out of the $28 Million in punitive damages. The award granted to Plaintiff may be largest of its type in the history of the Los Angeles County jurisdiction.