Jury

Skyrocketing Jury Awards in Employment Lawsuits Reflect Shifting Generational Perspectives and Deepening Corporate Distrust

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San Diego, CA — A noticeable surge in “nuclear verdicts,” where jury awards exceed $10 million, has been linked to a growing distrust of corporations and a changing demographic within juries, particularly with the increasing presence of Generation Z jurors. This shift is not just reshaping courtroom battles but also causing a sharp rise in insurance premiums, challenging longstanding legal practices and corporate accountability. In a notable recent legal battle, a San Diego jury awarded $11.2 million to a 74-year-old former employee of Octapharma Plasma Inc., who filed a lawsuit for age discrimination and failure … Read more

Santa Clara County Issues Alert on New Jury Duty Phone Scam

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San Jose, CA — Officials in Santa Clara County are raising alarms over a rising scam targeting local residents with fraudulent jury duty threats. Authorities have identified a scheme where individuals receive calls from scammers pretending to be court officials. These scammers falsely accuse the recipients of failing to report for jury duty and then demand payment of a fine to avoid arrest. This deceptive tactic has been notably successful due to its exploitation of civic duty. Scammers often use official-seeming language and may even spoof caller ID systems to make it appear as if … Read more

Jury Awards $2 Million in Landmark Sexual Harassment Case Against SkyWest Airlines

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DALLAS – A Dallas federal jury recently ruled that a female employee at SkyWest Airlines endured a sexually hostile workplace, resulting in a $2 million judgement in punitive damages and $170,000 for emotional distress. The court’s decision marks a significant precedent for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the Northern District of Texas, underscoring the agency’s commitment to combating workplace discrimination. Sarah Budd, a parts clerk at the Utah-based airline, became the focal point of egregious sexual harassment by various coworkers, including a supervisor. Her colleagues made unwarranted sexual comments and coercive suggestions … Read more

Swift Justice: Lafayette Jury Convicts Man of Second-Degree Murder in Independence Day Shooting

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Lafayette, LA — In a swift verdict, a Lafayette Parish jury convicted 29-year-old Deontre Batiste of second-degree murder, concluding a case that has captivated the Lafayette community since 2019. The jury deliberated for just 20 minutes before reaching their decision on the charges stemming from the fatal shooting of 36-year-old John Willis, which occurred on July 4, 2019. The incident that led to Willis’ untimely death unfolded on Lily Street in Lafayette, where he was found lying next to his front porch in the early hours of Independence Day. The discovery was made by a … Read more