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CONFIDENTIAL

Dec. 13, 1997

Employment Law
Wrongful Termination

Confidential

Settlement –  $350,000

Judge

Lester E. Olson

Court

Case Not Filed


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Katherine Edwards

Christine Masters


Defendant

Anne Courtney


Facts

In 1995, plaintiff, a medical doctor, relocated to California based upon assurance by defendant employer that a particular nurse would not be allowed to cause him problems. The plaintiff alleged that the nurse was known to be overdramatic, antagonistic and prone to hysteria. The nurse accused plaintiff of physically threatening her 17 months after plaintiff was hired and his employment was terminated. The plaintiff contended that the employer failed to conduct an adequate investigation into the incident and that the nurse was not credible, given her personality. The plaintiff also contended that he was terminated for his resistence to an aggressive claims denial policy. The defendant contended it terminated plaintiff's employment because he threatened the nurse. The plaintiff brought claims including wrongful termination in violation of public policy and breach of contract theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

The settlement discussions were not disclosed.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed lost compensation and emotional distress.

Other Information

The settlement was reached approximately one year and three months after the incident. MEDIATION: A mediation was held before Lester Olson, an independent mediator, resulting in the reported settlement.


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