Featured Verdict: World Oil Corp. Hit With $5.9 Million Verdict in Wrongful Termination Case

Employment Law

Margarita Ramirez v. World Oil Corp., et al. (Los Angeles Super Ct. No. 20STCV22351): On April 22, 2022 a jury awarded $5.9 million in damages to Plaintiff Margarita Ramirez and against defendants World Oil Corp. and Asbury Environmental Services. Plaintiff was employed by World Oil Corp between 2001 and 2018 as a filing clerk and later a collections specialist. During her employment, plaintiff sustained injuries to her wrist, elbow and shoulder and was given work accommodations throughout her tenure with the company. In August 2018 she underwent surgery on her elbow, took worker’s compensation and a medical leave of absence. In December of 2018, after informing her employer that she could return to work with restrictions, she was placed on an extended leave of absence. Plaintiff resigned from her position as a result, in June of 2020, and filed an action for wrongful termination based on her disability and argued that defendants failed to engage in the interactive process. Defendants argued that they participated in the interactive process in good faith, and that they were not obligated to provide plaintiff’s requested accommodations. Defendants argued that plaintiff caused the breakdown in the interactive process by rejecting World Oil’s accommodation offers and by resigning. Plaintiff was represented by Shegerian & Associates Inc.