Green

SUMMARY

In this wrongful termination case, judgment was entered on a jury verdict awarding plaintiff $1,237,086 in compensatory damages and an equal amount in punitive damages. Defendant filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), the latter with respect to punitive damages only. The trial court granted the new trial motion.

Plaintiff appealed from the order granting a new trial and defendant cross-appealed. We affirm the judgment. Defendant’s new trial motion was denied by operation of law because the trial court failed to make its ruling within 60 days after defendant filed the motion. As to defendant’s cross-appeal, we conclude (1) the record contained sufficient evidence of defendant’s financial condition to support the punitive damages award, and (2) there was substantial evidence supporting the jury’s finding that plaintiff’s complaint of sexual harassment of a colleague was a motivating reason for her discharge.

FACTS

Plaintiff Teresa D. Green sued defendant Laibco, LLC (doing business as Las Flores Convalescent Hospital), when she was fired after more than 21 years of employment. Plaintiff was activities…