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Employment Law
Sexual Harassment
Retaliation

Sara Flores v. Sohnen Enterprises; Sam Rosales; David Nelsen; Kathy Guzman; Angie Hernandez

Published: May 30, 1998 | Result Date: Nov. 24, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: BC159526 Verdict –  $229,866

Judge

Ralph W. Dau

Court

L.A. Superior Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Pamela M. Teren

Nancy L. Abrolat
(Abrolat Law PC)


Defendant

Gregory D. Wolflick


Experts

Plaintiff

Francis D. Mummery
(technical)

Victoria Dellaverson
(medical)

Monica Ballard
(medical)

Richard Easton
(technical)

Facts

Plaintiff Sara Flores, was an 18-year-old general laborer for defendant Sohnen Enterprises from January 1996 until April 1996. The plaintiff alleged that during her employment, she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances by her supervisors and co-workers, including instances where an employee grabbed and squeazed her buttocks, an employee rubbed himself and thrust his groin area against her backside, male employees made sexually-charged sounds when she walked around the work premises, a supervisor told her she "looked good" and stared at her body, a supervisor called her a "bimbo," "airhead," and "flake" and, out of her presence, male employees and supervisors talked about her breasts, buttocks, their desire to see her naked, their desire to date her, and their desire to have sex with her. The plaintiff complained about this conduct to Sohnen's Human Resources department after working about two months. She alleged that nothing was done. Then, the plaintiff complained to Sohnen's vice president along with the Human Resources director about the same conduct. Within one week, the plaintiff was fired. The plaintiff brought this wrongful termination action against the defendants based on sexual harassment and retaliation theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

No settlement demands or offers were made.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed past and future lost earnings and emotional distress damages.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year and one month after the case was filed.

Deliberation

five days

Poll

12-0 (liability and compensatory); 10-2 (punitive)

Length

eight days


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