Featured Employment Law Verdict : Albert Garcia, et al. v. Seltzar Doren Management Company, Inc., et al

Albert Garcia, et al. v. Seltzar Doren Management Company, Inc., et al. (Los Angeles Super Ct. No. BC699421): On August 3, 2021 a $7.6 million verdict was entered in favor of plaintiffs Albert and Stephanie Garcia and against defendants Gresham Apartment Investors and Sierra Management in a wrongful termination action. Plaintiffs managed an 81-unit apartment building located in Canoga park, where they lived rent free as part of their compensation. In November 2017, plaintiffs were terminated and had to leave their apartments. Plaintiffs filed suit, alleging that they were terminated from their employment due to a medical condition that Stephanie Garcia was suffering from, and that the termination and loss of the rent-free accommodations violated California law. Defendant Sierra Management denied the allegations, claiming that it did not owe any damages to the plaintiffs. Defendant Gresham Apartment Investors, the building owner, also denied the allegations, claiming that Sierra Management was the actual employer in this scenario. Plaintiffs were represented by Shegerian & Associates Inc.