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In a wage and hour, failure to accommodate, and disability discrimination case, a welder alleged that his employer terminated him because of his intestinal ailment. Cubias v. Murray’s Iron Works Inc., 7 Trials Digest 14th 14, 2010 WL 5690615, Case No. BC406749 (Cal. Superior, Verdict: July 29, 2010).
Plaintiff alleged that he was employed as an aluminum welder until defendant Murray’s Iron Works terminated his employment. Plaintiff alleged he was harassed and terminated, when he disclosed his medical condition/disability called diverticulosis or diverticular disease., which occurred when pressure in plaintiff’s colon formed bulging pouches that can cause severe stomach cramps, aches, constipation, and/or diarrhea. Id.
Plaintiff alleged disability discrimination, failure to provide reasonable accommodation, failure to engage in the interactive process, unlawful retaliation, unlawful retaliation in violation of public policy, harassment, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, failure to prevent discrimination and harassment, failure to prevent retaliation, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and failure to pay overtime wages against defendant Murray’s Iron Works. Id. Against defendant Irene Leisner, the Human Resources Manager and co-owner of Murray’s Iron Works, plaintiff alleged harassment, invasion of right to privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress for allegedly entering the men’s restroom at work and yelling at him to get back to work and to hurry up while he was using the restroom. Id.
The jury found that: plaintiff had a disability but found that it was not a motivating reason for his termination; plaintiff did not request an accommodation; he was not terminated in violation of public policy; defendants’ conduct was not outrageous; defendants did not invade plaintiff’s privacy, and defendant Murray’s Iron Works did not willfully fail to pay the full amount of wages earned by plaintiff on his last day of employment. Id. But Plaintiff was awarded $212 against defendant Murray’s Iron Works on the cause of action for violation of Labor Code sections 201 and 203, for failure to pay all wages that are earned and unpaid are due immediately at the time of termination.
Judges and Attorneys
Judge Kevin C. Brazile
For Plaintiff: Richard Y. Chen, Torey J. Favarote, Paul M. Gleason, Tuyet T. Nguyen, Janet S. Yavrouian, of Gleason & Favarote, Los Angeles.
For Defendant: Paul M. Kelley and Amy Semmel, of Donfeld, Kelley & Rollman, Los Angeles.
By CHARLES JUNG
California Employment Lawyer 