Ninth Circuit Rules $4.5 Punitive Damage Award Unconstitutional

In a non-labor case, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeal has reduced a $4.5 punitive damage award to $500,000 on the theory that the previous award was so high that it was unconstitutional. Cooper Industries, Inc. v. Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.

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State Law Duty to Accommodate Disabled Employees Exceeds Duty Under ADA

A California Court of Appeal reinstated a disabled employee's lawsuit which had been dismissed under the more employer friendly provisions of the ADA. The court ruled that California's disability law is more favorable to employees, and must be used in state job bias cases. Bagatti v. Dept. of Rehabilitation

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Employer May Prevent Employee From Suing Customer

A California Court of Appeal ruled a hospital lawfully terminated an employee for suing a patient for assault. Jersey v. John Muir Medical Center

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