Firm Partners Win $390,000 in Wrongful Termination Case, Judge Issues Order for Another $300,000 in Sanctions

More than $400,000 in damages were awarded to a plaintiff represented by firm partners Brianne Thomas, Jason Iezziand Josh Sanders who was injured on the job at a metals company. 

Plaintiff Kathleen Hicks sued Commercial Metals Company alleging she suffered brain, neck and shoulder injuries in early 2018 while working on a metals machine. Hicks was terminated due to what the company characterized as a lack of communication despite having a nurse case manager reporting Hicks’ treatment, diagnosis and work restrictions to the employer.

Brianne argued that their client was fired for exercising her workers’ compensation rights.

And then...

The company (defense) filed a motion for a new trial and included witness statements falsely alleging that Brianne Thomas’ father engaged in jury tampering by speaking with two members of the jury.

After surveillance video evidence proved the allegation false, and the witnesses claimed they “misremembered” the event, Judge Ryan W. Horsman wrote, “Given the outrageous conduct of the Defendants in this matter, this Court finds by clear and convincing evidence that Defendants acted in bad faith and committed a fraud on the Court.”

Brianne Thomas filed a motion for sanctions which the judge granted in the amount of $312,450 against both defendants and $390,000 for wrongful termination.