KLO Wins Unanimous Defense Verdict in Healthcare Whistleblower Dispute

Warren Hodges and Jeff Owensby won a unanimous jury verdict in Sacramento Superior Court. Kennaday Leavitt Owensby, PC represented a regional healthcare system that employs plaintiff in its local hospital. The case was brought by a technician employed by the defendant healthcare system. The worker asserted that her employer engaged in repeated acts of retaliation following her whistleblower-style complaints about equipment used in her department. The hospital disagreed with her view that any of its equipment posed any safety risk to staff or patients. Prior to bringing suit, Plaintiff had complained to state agencies, professional associations, and private sector organizations about her beliefs concerning the equipment. Plaintiff initially sought damages for lost earnings, emotional distress and punitive damages. At trial plaintiff asked the jury to award her up to $2.1 million for her alleged damages. After a two-week trial, the jury was out only 90 minutes and returned a unanimous defense verdict on behalf of our employer client.