Million

Kings County Jury Awards $1.9 Million to Victim of Sexual Harassment by Former DA Keith Fagundes

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HANFORD, Calif. — Kings County will pay $1.9 million to a former employee who alleged she was sexually harassed and retaliated against by former District Attorney Keith Fagundes. A jury reached the verdict in favor of Alexandria Smith, who served as a secretary in the District Attorney’s Office. Fagundes, who held the district attorney position for two terms, lost his reelection bid to current District Attorney Sarah Hacker in 2022. During his tenure, he faced previous sexual harassment allegations from Robert Waggle, a former investigator in his office. Those claims were settled for $1.1 million, … Read more

Eye Doctor Secures $4 Million Verdict Against NYU Langone for Disability Discrimination After COVID-19 Battle

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A Manhattan jury has awarded $4 million to Dr. Habeeb Ahmad, an eye doctor from Long Island, who accused NYU Langone Health System of discrimination following his disability due to COVID-19. The jury’s decision outlines significant financial compensation, including $2 million for emotional distress, $1.775 million in back and front pay, and $250,000 in punitive damages against both NYU Langone and NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine. Ahmad’s direct supervisor, Dr. Doug Lazzaro, and labor relations manager Scott Mellynchuk were also named in the lawsuit. NYU Langone expressed disappointment with the verdict, with spokesperson Steve Ritea … Read more

Florida Appeals Court Overturns $8.1 Million Verdict Against R.J. Reynolds, Calls for New Trial Amid Jury Instruction Controversy

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Miami, Fla. — A recent decision by Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal has significant implications for a case against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., reversing an $8.1 million jury award. The court determined that the initial trial contained errors that warrant a new examination of the evidence on strict liability and negligence. During the previous trial, instructions provided to the jury included findings against R.J. Reynolds that had already been dismissed during the summary judgment phase. This prompted the appellate court to take action, resulting in the case being sent back for a fresh trial. … Read more

Jury Finds Tesla Liable in Landmark Case, Awarding Over $240 Million Following Fatal Crash of Innocent Bystander

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Miami, Florida – A jury has determined that Tesla played a significant role in the death of Naibel Benavides Leon, attributing responsibility for the accident in part to a driver’s distraction. The jury found George McGee, who was driving the Tesla at the time, 67% responsible for the crash, while Tesla was assigned 33% of the liability. Following the verdict, a ruling was issued that requires Tesla to pay over $42 million in compensatory damages, along with an additional $200 million in punitive damages. This verdict, although subject to potential appeal, marks a notable shift … Read more