Employee

Court Overturns $8.69 Million Award to Brain-Injured Employee in Landmark Decision

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San Francisco – A federal appeals court has overturned an $8.69 million jury award previously granted to a worker who suffered severe brain injuries while on the job. The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the award on the basis that the employee was covered under workers’ compensation insurance, which typically precludes additional legal claims against employers for workplace injuries. The case involved Tyrone Keys, a construction worker who alleged his injuries arose from negligence by Clark Construction Group among other defendants. Keys contended that lack of proper safety measures on the construction site … Read more

American Airlines Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over ESG Investments in Employee 401(k) Plans

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DALLAS — A high-stakes lawsuit filed against American Airlines could potentially reshape employer practices around the use of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) funds in retirement saving strategies. The class-action case, filed by employees who object to the incorporation of ERE funds in their 401(k) plans, targets what the plaintiffs describe as the prioritizing of “leftist political agendas” in investment decisions. The lawsuit emerged from a pilot’s allegation that American Airlines neglected its duty to prioritize financial returns by choosing funds managed with ESG strategies in mind. Led by pilot Bryan Spence, it implicates some … Read more

Former Kodak Employee Sues for Age Discrimination, Cites Mocking Over Magnifying Glass Use

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Rochester, N.Y. – A recent lawsuit has emerged spotlighting alleged age discriminatory practices at Eastman Kodak Co., a longstanding multinational corporation headquartered in Rochester. A 68-year-old ex-employee has accused the company of age discrimination following an experience during a training session that left him contemplating the corporate culture surrounding older employees. The former employee’s lawsuit claims that his manager persistently demeaned him based on his age during the two-week training period. Specific instances cited include derogatory comments about his eyesight and mobility. Additionally, the manager is accused of ridiculing the man for using a magnifying … Read more

Jury Sides with Former Employee over Religious Exemption to Vaccine Mandate, Awards Over $600,000 in Damages

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Chattanooga, Tennessee — A Chattanooga-based health insurance company, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, has been ordered to pay $687,000 to a former employee who was dismissed for not complying with the company’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement. A federal jury concluded after a three-day trial that the company failed to reasonably accommodate Tanja Benton’s religious beliefs. Benton, a biostatistical research scientist, predominantly worked from home and maintained her work responsibilities did not necessitate physical interaction, which she argued made her physical vaccination unnecessary. She held the position for over six years before her termination in November 2021. Benton’s … Read more