Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

In an ERISA case over denied mental health benefits, the court ruled for plaintiff Dan C., finding the Directors Guild of America–Producer Health Plan improperly denied coverage. The judgment orders payment of owed benefits with interest, allows attorney’s fees, and addresses breaches of fiduciary duties, parity law violations, and improper claim review practices.

The Hohne family sued over alleged guardianship misconduct and property hazards. On March 3, 2025, a Los Angeles jury awarded Chloe and Sophia Hohne $4,157,000 in a premises liability and negligence case against Delia Juul-Dam, Brian Richardson, and others, citing lead-based paint violations and negligent property maintenance. Damages covered past and future economic and noneconomic losses, with fault apportioned among all responsible parties.

Kimberly Agee sued Amber Edwards and State Farm after a 2019 rear-end crash in Rockledge, Florida. Agee alleged negligence and breach of insurance coverage, claiming serious injuries and emotional distress. On February 22, 2024, a jury found Edwards liable and awarded Agee approximately $1.9 million in economic and non-economic damages, including medical costs and pain and suffering.

Joel and Fermelisa Caballero filed a class action alleging wage and hour violations against The Ensign Group, Claremont Foothills Health Associates, and Christopher Christensen. Claims included unpaid overtime, missed breaks, inaccurate wage statements, and unreimbursed expenses. The Los Angeles Superior Court approved a settlement for all hourly, non-exempt California employees from Dec. 3, 2015, to Jan. 3, 2024, releasing all related claims and PAGA penalties, with no opt-outs or objections.

Teodoro Curameng Deguzman sued Millennium Health, LLC over alleged wage, break, and reimbursement violations affecting hourly, non-exempt California employees. The San Diego Superior Court approved a $299,433.61 class action and PAGA settlement, awarding $99,811.20 in attorney’s fees, $17,252.64 in litigation costs, and $8,000 in administration costs. The plaintiff’s service award was reduced to $7,500, with the difference allocated to the settlement fund.

Serpouhie and Jirair Sarkissian sued longtime associates over alleged financial misconduct involving Karoun Dairies and Central Valley Cheese Co. The Los Angeles County Superior Court found the claims derivative and dismissed the case with prejudice. It excluded the plaintiffs’ damages expert, awarded defendants $108,942.64 in costs, and granted Antranik Baghdassarian $1,521,200 in attorney’s fees, naming the defendants prevailing parties.

Former employees Nancy Jaylene Cruz and Janco Barboza sued Los Compadres Restaurant, alleging multiple California labor law violations, including unpaid wages, missed breaks, and unreimbursed expenses. The Court approved a class action and PAGA settlement, ordering payments to class members, $75,750 in attorney fees, and a $10,000 PAGA allocation, binding all covered individuals to the releases, and entering judgment with prejudice.

Female Disney employees alleged widespread gender discrimination in pay, promotion, and job titles. The plaintiffs cited wage secrecy, retaliation, and systemic bias under California’s FEHA and PAGA laws. They secured a $43.25 million class settlement mandating oversight, back pay, and structural reforms. The case highlighted patterns of unequal treatment despite similar or superior job performance compared to male colleagues.

Madeline Machin sued JPMorgan Chase Bank after a teller allegedly activated a roll-up metal screen that struck her head and neck. She claimed serious injuries and long-term impacts. The bank denied liability and raised multiple defenses, including comparative negligence. On April 12, a jury awarded her over $1.55 million in damages, covering both economic and non-economic losses.

Med-Legal Associates, Inc. filed suit to protect its ERISA retirement plans from collection efforts by judgment creditors. The company sought declaratory and injunctive relief, arguing that the plans were legally shielded under federal law. The court agreed, issuing a final judgment and permanent injunction that barred the defendants from attempting to seize the funds. The ruling upheld key ERISA protections and awarded costs to Med-Legal.

Jazmyn Green-Dominguez filed a class action against TLCS, Inc. and Hope Cooperative, alleging widespread labor law violations, including unpaid overtime, missed breaks, and unreimbursed expenses. The defendants denied all allegations but ultimately reached a settlement covering non-exempt employees from June 2019 to July 2024. The court approved $182,000 in attorneys’ fees, a $5,000 award to the plaintiff, and other costs. A compliance hearing is set for September 2026.

Derek Oliveira sued Skanska-Granite-Lane after crashing into an unmarked barrier at a confusing I-4 construction ramp in Orlando. He claimed the contractor removed critical safety signage, creating a hazardous zone. The court awarded him $919,245.10 on January 12, 2024, finding the construction company negligent. The defense alleged comparative fault and external causes, but the jury ruled in Oliveira’s favor.