Facts

Plaintiff Andrew Rudnicki was terminated by Farmers Insurance after 37 years of employment. Rudnicki sued, claiming age discrimination, disability discrimination, and retaliation.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that he was inexplicably fired within months of his anticipated testimony in a FEHA case (Coates v. Farmers). Afraid of his testimony--that would have shed light on inaction by Farmers--Farmers retaliated against Rudnicki and shamefully used him as a scapegoat in order to hide that it was their own failure to address the concerns Rudnicki raised on behalf of the eventual Coates Plaintiff's that lead to the Coates litigation.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied all contentions. Defendants contended that it terminated plaintiff for inappropriate conduct with female co-workers and poor judgment.

Specials in Evidence

Loe: $1 million

Result

The Jury found in Farmers' favor on the age and disability discrimination claims, and found in Plaintiff's favor on the retaliation claim, and awarded $5.4 million in compensatory damages and a punitive damages award of $75 million each against Farmers Insurance Exchange and Farmers Group, Inc.

Deliberation

3.3 hours

Poll

10-2 in phase 1, 9-3 in phase 2

Length

19 days