This is the property of the Daily Journal Corporation and fully protected by copyright. It is made available only to Daily Journal subscribers for personal or collaborative purposes and may not be distributed, reproduced, modified, stored or transferred without written permission. Please click "Reprint" to order presentation-ready copies to distribute to clients or use in commercial marketing materials or for permission to post on a website. and copyright (showing year of publication) at the bottom.

Employment Law
FEHA
Sexual Harassment

Krymylda Loria, et al. v. Hamid Sehhati; Flagstar Companies, Inc.; Denny's Restaurant

Published: Jan. 3, 1998 | Result Date: Jul. 22, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 73252 –  $1,798,000

Judge

W. Scott Snowden

Court

Napa Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Susan Rubenstein
(Law Offices of Susan Rubenstein)

Marcie E. Berman


Defendant

Paul S. Avilla
(McPharlin, Sprikles & Thomas LLP)

Linda Hendrix McPharlin

R. Yohannon


Experts

Defendant

Edward Kushell
(technical)

Facts

Plaintiff's Krymylda Loria, Alicia Elton, Heather Salyer and Sophia Androlowicz, were employed at a Denny's franchise restaurant as either waitresses, assistant managers or hostesses. The plaintiffs alleged that defendant Hamid Sehhati, the manager of the restaurant franchise, sexually harrased plaintiffs by fondling, grabbing and touching various parts of their bodies. The plaintiffs brought this action against the manager, the franchise restaurant and Denny's Inc., the franchisor, based on violations of the sexual harassment provisions of the California Fair Employment & Housing Act (FEHA).

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand of $375,000. Denny's Inc. made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $100,000. Defendant Sehhati made no offer.

Specials in Evidence

$ ______ (if any) $ ______ (for each plaintiff)

Damages

Plaintiff asked the jury to award $1.795 million in damages.

Injuries

Plaintiffs claimed emotional distress.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately two years and six months after the case was filed.

Poll

12-0 (issue of actual agency as to Denny's Inc); 11-1 (issue of ostensible agency as to Denny's, Inc.); 12-0 (sexual harassment against defendant Sehhati)


#87245

For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:

Email jeremy@reprintpros.com for prices.
Direct dial: 949-702-5390