Facts

Freddie Davis began working as a nurse for Prison Health Services at the Alameda County jail in Dublin beginning in 1990. In 2007, Ms. Davis filed suit against Prison Health Services and the County of Alameda, along with various individual defendants including County Sheriff's Captain James Ayala, alleging that the PHS and County defendants conspired to harass and retaliate against her in violation of her civil rights. Specifically, Ms. Davis contended that she engaged in protected union conduct by questioning defendant Ayala regarding a rumored threat to revoke the nurses' security clearances, and that defendants retaliated against her for this conduct.

Without admitting any liability, the PHS defendants reached a mutually agreeable resolution of Ms. Davis' claims in early 2011. Thereafter, the County defendant obtained summary judgment on Ms. Davis' claims against the County.

In November 2011, Ms. Davis proceeded to trial with her claims against Alameda County Sheriff's Captain James Ayala, and Sergeant Darryl Griffith.

Result

The jury rendered a verdict in favor of plaintiff against defendant James Ayala only, and awarded her $528,957. The jury rejected Ms. Davis' request for punitive damages.

Length

three weeks