Edward Norwood v. Stanford University, Lee Lyon
Published: May 24, 2005 | Result Date: Feb. 25, 2005 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: C032424 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
USDC Northern
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
Michael T. Lucey
(Gordon & Rees LLP)
Michael A. Laurenson
(Gordon & Rees LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Kenneth I. Gottlieb
(medical)
Marco Acosta
(technical)
Phillip H. Allman III, Ph.D.
(technical)
Defendant
Jay S. Finkelman
(technical)
Mark S. Lipian
(medical)
Facts
Edward Norwood, a 49-year-old African-American, was manager of the shipping and receiving department of Stanford University's Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). He was terminated on March 19, 2002, after working for the SLAC for 20 years. About one year beforehand, a co-worker had been promoted instead of Norwood to a newly-created position that subsumed Norwood's supervisory responsibilities. Norwood's supervisory responsibilities were taken away, although he was not given a pay reduction. Norwood filed a grievance with Stanford, alleging that he was denied the promotion because of his race. In the Fall of 2001, Norwood filed a claim with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), alleging discrimination and retaliation. He also asserted that SLAC violated federal hazardous materials laws by placing a non-trained employee in charge of Hazmat employees. DFEH meditation failed, and Norwood returned to work.
Injuries
Norwood claimed emotional distress and resulting high blood pressure as a result of his termination. The defense claimed that Norwood could have worked following his termination, but that he had not attempted to find other employment. Norwood did not dispute this claim. The defense also disputed the cause of Norwood's high blood pressure.
Deliberation
two hours
Length
11 days
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