Facts

Felipa Branes-Guerrero sued the Regents of the University of California, County of Los Angeles, and Noven Lazaro, involving allegations racial discrimination.

The Regents of California were erroneously named in the lawsuit, and was not an active party in the case.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff was a registered nurse. In December 2013, plaintiff began working as a part-time nurse at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and claimed she was immediately discriminated against by her direct supervisor, defendant Lazaro. Plaintiff was fired on April 1, 2014 after complaining about defendant. Plaintiff then sued, alleging national origin discrimination and retaliation. Plaintiff, who was Peruvian, claimed that Lazaro, who was Filipino, gave preferential treatment to other Filipino staff.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
Defendant claimed that plaintiff was involved in approximately eight instances of patient endangerment and nursing errors. Defendant also claimed that the one complaint was in regards to Lazaro raising his voice at plaintiff for allegedly endangering patients. Defendants denied that the complaints were because of plaintiff's allegations of racial discrimination.

Damages

Branes-Guerrero was unable to work until she found a new job in July 2014. The parties stipulated to lost earnings of around $16,000. Plaintiff also claimed noneconomic damages of emotional distress.

Injuries

Branes-Guerrero suffered from emotional distress and anxiety.

Result

The Regents and Lazaro were ultimately dismissed from the case and the matter continued against the county only. Ultimately, the jury found in favor of the defense.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Sept. 9, 2014.