California Jury Awards $27.5 Million to Hospital Nurse for PTSD After Tragic Incident and Employer Retaliation

LOS ANGELES — A jury in California awarded $27.5 million to a former chief nursing officer for emotional distress caused by her departure from a hospital following a traumatic incident. The nurse, who experienced severe psychological issues, had been called to the hospital’s parking structure where she encountered a woman who had jumped from the eighth floor and died. This tragic event was not isolated; she later discovered that a man had also taken his life from the same location six years prior. In the wake of this incident, the nurse actively pushed for improved … Read more

Honolulu Chef Faces $3.15 Million Judgment for Abusive Workplace Culture After Sous Chef’s Harrowing Experience

HONOLULU — A jury in Oahu has awarded more than $3 million to a former sous chef who alleged he suffered violent abuse by the executive chef at a Honolulu restaurant. The case was brought by Andrew DeBellis, who worked at Margotto Hawaii from October to December 2023 and claimed the restaurant’s owner enabled the abusive behavior. The jury’s verdict, handed down on June 24, included $1.05 million in compensatory damages and an additional $2.1 million in punitive damages. DeBellis accused chef Yohei Yagishita of repeatedly assaulting him physically, causing injuries that included a torn … Read more

California Jury Slaps Google with $314 Million Verdict for Unauthorized Data Use, Setting Stage for Nationwide Legal Battles

A jury in San Jose, California, has determined that Google mishandled data from idle Android phones, leading users to incur unexpected cellular costs while the devices remained inactive. The judgment, which amounts to over $314 million, is seen as a significant development in the ongoing concerns surrounding the tech giant’s data privacy practices. The case, initiated in 2019 on behalf of approximately 14 million residents of California, contended that Google’s background data collection for targeted advertising went beyond what an average user would understand or consent to. Plaintiffs argued that this collection resulted in unnecessary … Read more

Whistleblower Victory: $27.5 Million Jury Award Against Dignity Health Marks Significant Legal Precedent

LOS ANGELES — A significant legal battle culminated in a $27.5 million jury verdict for a whistleblower case against Dignity Health. The landmark verdict was secured by attorneys David M. deRubertis and his firm, Hershey Law, marking a notable moment in whistleblower protection litigation. The case centered around allegations that Dignity Health retaliated against a former employee who raised concerns about unethical practices within the organization. The jury found in favor of the whistleblower, underscoring the importance of safeguarding individuals who report wrongdoing in workplace environments. Over the course of the trial, the evidence presented … Read more