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Employment Law
Sexual Harassment
Hostile Work Environment

Magenta v. Whole Foods Market, Inc.

Published: Jan. 19, 2002 | Result Date: Dec. 6, 2001 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC233855 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Kenneth R. Freeman

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

James K. Autrey
(Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney)

Donald L. Prichard


Defendant

Mark B. Chassman
(Chassman & Seelig LLP)


Facts

The plaintiff claimed that she had been both verbally and sexually harassed over a five-month period by both her
supervisor and her co-workers and that this had created a hostile work environment in violation of Fair
Employment and Housing Act, Government Code section 12940 et seq.

Settlement Discussions

The defendant made a C.C.P. Section 998 offer of $17,500. After the first day of the trial, the plaintiff demanded $750,000. The defendant offered $100,000. At the beginning of the defendantÆs case, the plaintiff demanded $3 million plus $150,000 per witness that the defendant called to testify.

Specials in Evidence

$100,000

Damages

The plaintiff sought $1 million for pain and suffering plus punitive damages.

Deliberation

4.5 hours

Poll

10-2 (defense on co-worker sexual harassment), 12-0 (defense on supervisor sexual harassment)

Length

seven days


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