LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carney R. Shegerian, an employee rights attorney and founder of Shegerian & Associates, discloses that on Tuesday, a Los Angeles jury found for a former employee against TapouT, the clothing company, for wrongful termination. The jury awarded a total of just over $3.2 million dollars on the lawsuit filed in the downtown superior court in October of 2008. 32 year old plaintiff Michelle Thomas’s award included $2.4 million in punitive damages and $840,000 in compensatory damages.
“The jury saw through the corporation’s untruths and recognized the wrongful termination for what it is. Illegal. Founded on greed. And, sadly, causing a financially and emotionally impossible time for Ms. Thomas,” according to trial attorney Carney Shegerian. “Like some companies, TapouT, which is owned in part by the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization, had no qualms about retaliating against Ms. Thomas when she complained about her not being paid what she was promised. The evidence of labor violations was overwhelming.”
The jury found Thomas had been fired for discussing wage issues. TapouT promised Thomas higher commissions than what TapouT later paid her. TapouT refused to pay Thomas overtime as well, claiming that it had a compensatory time “program” that “really was non-existent in the evidence, Shegerian reports. “The law is clear in California. You cannot retaliate or discriminate or harass an employee who makes good faith complaints about wage issues.”
An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, always representing individuals that have suffered financial or emotional losses and have been wronged by employers, including major corporations. Shegerian has built a remarkable career on helping those who have been wronged in the workplace. He remains undefeated in federal jury trials and has won 16 seven figure verdicts representing employees.
Located in the City of Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specifically focused on protecting the rights of employees who have been wronged by their employers. Richly experienced in labor and employment law and possessing an unparalleled success record as litigators, Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com.