LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carney R. Shegerian, founder of Shegerian & Associates, a Santa Monica-based law firm specializing in employee rights, has issued a statement aimed at employees and employers in light of the current news coverage surrounding a former employee of a San Francisco Radio Shack who was awarded more than $1 million in an age discrimination and wrongful termination case.
A federal jury awarded more than $1 million to longtime Radio Shack store manager, Frank Allen, who is 54 and has run the store since 1998. He was fired in 2010 and replaced by a 23-year-old who had told him the company wanted someone with "younger ideas." According to his lawsuit, he had more than doubled the store's sales in a decade and won awards and performance bonuses.
After a one-week trial, the jury found age discrimination earlier this month and awarded Allen $470,000 for lost wages, $60,000 for emotional distress and $500,000 in punitive damages.
“What happened to Mr. Allen – being fired because of his age – is unfortunately very common,” said Shegerian. “A textbook example of being victimized via age discrimination, Mr. Allen had his successful day in court, but too many similar situations go unreported or ignored. What companies and employees alike need to realize is that age discrimination is illegal. Any discrimination of a person in his or her place of work due to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability is illegal, in fact. We hope that stories like this one will encourage others who have been wronged to come forward and seek justice.”
An experienced trial attorney, Shegerian has tried many jury trials to verdict in both state and federal court, 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 over 62 jury trials, including 24 seven figure verdicts representing employees.
Located in Santa Monica, Shegerian & Associates is a law firm specializing in 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 (Carney Shegerian himself has won over 62 jury trials in his career, including 24 seven figure verdicts, and he remains undefeated in federal jury trials), Shegerian & Associates is passionately dedicated to serving the needs of its clients. For more information, visit www.ShegerianLaw.com.