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Employment Law

Carion DeVille v. City of Compton et al.

Published: Jun. 29, 1996 | Result Date: Mar. 16, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: TC005294 –  $99,500

Judge

Steven C. Suzukawa

Court

L.A. Superior Compton


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Shula Roth-Barash

Lawrence E. Heller
(Heller & Edwards)

Peter I. Bersin


Defendant

Wilmont A. Odom


Experts

Plaintiff

Nancy Baker
(medical)

Joyce Elaine Pickersgill
(technical)

Defendant

L. Scott Frazier
(medical)

Facts

On December 3, 1991, the plaintiff, Carion DeVille, a 31-year-old woman, was a trainee in the defendant's, Compton Fire Department's, Ride-a-Long Reserve Program. The plaintiff was allegedly sexually harassed by her supervisor, the defendant fire captain, Larry Hall, during the training program and while she attended the Compton Fire Academy. The plaintiff filed a complaint with the defendants, the Compton Fire Chief, defendant Monroe Smith, and to defendant Howard Caldwell, the City Manager's office. The plaintiff claimed that she was dismissed from the training program in retaliation for filing the complaint. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Government Code Section 12940 theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made no settlement demands. The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $4,000.

Specials in Evidence

$3,000 $100,000 $0

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged that she sustained emotional distress as a result of the defendants' conduct.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately three years and nine months after the case was filed. A judicial arbitration was held on February 13, 1995, resulting in an award for the defendants. The plaintiff requested a trial de novo. Statutory attorney's fees pursuant to California Government Code Section 12965(b) were awarded in the sum of $151,000.

Deliberation

6 days

Poll

11-1 (liability); 9-3 (damages)

Length

13 days


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