Ogletree Deakins Ogletree Deakins
Home > Insights & Resources > Blog Posts > $10 Million Punitive Damage Award Against Employer Where 8 Employees Replaced By Younger Workers

$10 Million Punitive Damage Award Against Employer Where 8 Employees Replaced By Younger Workers

Download PDFPrintShare

A Morris County jury awarded $10 million in punitive damages against Defendant corporation where Plaintiff demonstrated that a new department head fired eight people, with an average age of 49, and replaced them with individuals averaging 35 years of age. The jury discounted the company’s argument that the new department head was revamping the department, which had a poor reputation, as well as the company’s evidence that the department head in question had hired, attempted to hire, or transferred into the department multiple employees in their 40’s and 50’s.

Saffos v. Avaya, Inc., 2008 WL 2663107 (N.J. Super., Law Div., June 16, 2008) — A Morris County jury awarded $10 million in punitive damages against Defendant corporation where Plaintiff demonstrated that a new department head fired eight people, with an average age of 49, and replaced them with individuals averaging 35 years of age.  The jury discounted the company’s argument that the new department head was revamping the department, which had a poor reputation, as well as the company’s evidence that the department head in question had hired, attempted to hire, or transferred into the department multiple employees in their 40’s and 50’s.

Note: This article was published in the August 2008 issue of the New Jersey eAuthority.

Topics

Employment Law

Browse More Insights

Podcasts Seminars Webinars
Fountain pen signing a document, close view with center focus
Practice Group

Employment Law

Ogletree Deakins’ employment lawyers are experienced in all aspects of employment law, from day-to-day advice to complex employment litigation.

Learn more

Sign up to receive emails about new developments and upcoming programs.

Sign Up Now