Northern California Heirloom Bean Distributor Hit With $250k Wrongful Termination Verdict

Employment Law

Martha Martinez v. Rancho Gordo Inc., et al. (Napa County Super Ct. No. 21CV001035): On March 23, 2023 a jury entered a verdict in favor of Plaintiff Martha Martinez, a shipping clerk who alleged she was wrongfully terminated by her employer Rancho Gordo, Inc. Plaintiff was originally hired as a temporary employee through a staffing agency in 2019 to work as a shipping clerk. On February 12, 2020 the Plaintiff learned she was pregnant, sharing this news with her supervisor that same day. On February 14, 2020, plaintiff reported to one of her supervisors that she was unable to work that day because her father-in-law was in the hospital. Plaintiff was told not to come back to work, and her position was terminated that day. Plaintiff filed suit against Rancho Gordo Inc. and staffing agency Palkar, Inc., alleging that she was wrongfully terminated due to her pregnancy. Prior to trial, plaintiff settled with defendant Palkar, Inc and made a CCP 998 demand to Rancho Gordo Inc. for $75,000. Rancho Gordo submitted a CCP 998 offer of $30,001. After four days of deliberation and a 10-day trial, Plaintiff was awarded a verdict in the amount of $251,966. Plaintiff was represented by the Liberation Law Group PC.