Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani San Francisco Partner Marcie Isom Fitzsimmons and Senior Counsel Hieu Williams recently prevailed in a four-week trial on behalf of their client, the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group (“PAFMG”), a large group of physicians that provides medical services at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (“PAMF”), a Sutter Health affiliate.
The plaintiff, a former PAFMG neurologist, claimed that PAFMG retaliated against her for allegedly complaining about practices and policies related to patient care, wrongfully terminated her, breached its employment contract with her, and interfered with her prospective economic advantage.
The Santa Clara County Superior Court dismissed her retaliation and wrongful termination claims on non-suit. After several days of deliberation, the jury found only one provision of the employment contract was breached and awarded the plaintiff less than $29,000 in damages, which was a far cry from the over $10 million she was seeking and less than the 998 Offer to Compromise that PAFMG served more than two years earlier, prior to the over 50 depositions that were taken. PAFMG will be filing a motion seeking recovery of its costs and attorney’s fees.