In a landmark verdict, a Sacramento jury awarded over $80 million in damages to three former workers of Zurich American Insurance Co. in Northern California.
The workers, Melinda Brantley, Nicholas Lardie, and Daniel Koos, were fired after taking “off-the-record” paid time off, according to Sacramento attorney Lawrance Bohm.
The case, which originated from a lawsuit filed in 2018, went to trial after Zurich American declined settlement offers starting at $150,000 for each plaintiff.
Bohm expressed jubilation at the outcome, noting the significance of the verdict for an insurance giant like Zurich American.
The plaintiffs were part of Zurich American’s workers’ compensation division and were fired in December 2017 for taking “Omen days,” a form of unofficial rewards program initiated by then-Assistant Vice President Chris Omen.
The program rewarded high-performing employees with free paid time off, known as “Omen Days,” without requiring formal requests or entries in the official system.
Despite the company’s argument of “time theft,” alleging that the employees underreported paid time off, Bohm asserted that his clients were unfairly defamed and subjected to malicious treatment by Zurich American.
He highlighted the company’s refusal to settle the case multiple times, despite his offers ranging from $150,000 to $2 million per plaintiff.
The verdict, which included damages for economic harm, reputational damages, and $25 million in punitive damages for each plaintiff, signifies a significant victory for the workers.
Bohm criticized Zurich American’s handling of the case, raising concerns about fairness and accountability within the company.
The outcome of the case raises questions about corporate accountability and employee treatment within the insurance industry, particularly regarding fair labor practices and transparency in investigations.
The legal battle is a reminder of the importance of upholding employee rights and ensuring equitable treatment in the workplace.
