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Employment Law
Wrongful Termination
Assault and Battery

Pearl v. Hutchings

Published: Jan. 8, 2000 | Result Date: Nov. 23, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: C9701457 Verdict –  $615,088

Judge

Richard L. Patsey

Court

Contra Costa Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Robert H. Bohn JR.


Defendant

John P. Caudle


Experts

Plaintiff

Charles P. Harper
(technical)

William Danzig
(medical)

Defendant

Charles S. Syers
(medical)

Facts

Plaintiff is a vice president in sales and marketing for Pacific Bell. The defendant was allegedly abusive to plaintiff and staff, so the plaintiff requested a meeting with supervisor to iron out differences. At meeting, the defendant claimed that the plaintiff called defendant a psychopath, and as a result, the defendant slugged plaintiff. Supervisor testified that plaintiff provoked the attacked by shoving and challenging defendant. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant's attacked was unprovoked. Both were terminated for violence.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiff demanded $50,000, increased to $275,000. The defendant offered $15,000.

Specials in Evidence

$2,700 $590,088

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered temporomandibular joint.

Other Information

Employer dismissed on motion for summary judgment. The verdict was reached approximately three years after the case was filed.

Deliberation

1½ hours

Poll

12-0 (liability), 12-0 (damages)

Length

six days


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