All articles tagged with #wrongful termination
Former ABC News field producer Samira Said has moved to drop CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman from her wrongful termination lawsuit. While the harassment allegations against Gutman are being removed from the complaint, the suit against ABC News and The Walt Disney Co. remains active, focusing on claims of denied medical accommodations and retaliation.
Former ABC News field producer Samira Said has moved to drop CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman from her wrongful termination lawsuit. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on September 4, the request removes Gutman as a defendant while retaining ABC News and The Walt Disney Co. Said previously alleged that Gutman created a hostile work environment through sexualized comments during her tenure at ABC from 2021 to 2025. The lawsuit centers on ABC’s alleged failure to accommodate her mental health needs and subsequent termination, rather than direct claims against Gutman.
Jerry Sharell, Dr. Phil McGraw’s longtime publicist, filed a Los Angeles Superior Court suit alleging wrongful termination and discrimination after relocating to Dallas to launch Merit Street Media; he claims he was excluded for being openly homosexual and later placed on hiatus with reduced benefits as Merit Street and its Envoy Media venture faced bankruptcy and restructuring, while McGraw’s representatives deny the allegations and say the matter will be vigorously defended, with arbitration implicated.
A former Netflix executive, Kevin Baillie, is suing Netflix, claiming he was wrongfully terminated after disclosing physician-prescribed ketamine therapy for depression during a vulnerability-trust exercise; the suit says Netflix investigated the comments and fired him, potentially denying up to a year of severance, amid broader questions about workplace culture.
An Indiana woman who was fired after posting about Charlie Kirk reached a $225,000 settlement with her employer, resolving a dispute over free speech and workplace termination.
A former violinist and crew member for Will Smith is suing him and his touring company for wrongful termination and sexual harassment, claiming he was retaliated against after reporting workplace safety concerns and alleged misconduct. Smith's lawyer denies the allegations, and the case is ongoing.
A former tour member for Will Smith is suing him and his touring company for wrongful termination and sexual harassment, claiming he was retaliated against after reporting workplace safety concerns and alleged misconduct. Smith's lawyer denies the allegations, which include claims of grooming and pattern of predatory behavior, and the case seeks damages and a trial.
A violinist, Brian King Joseph, has sued Will Smith and Treyball Studios, alleging retaliation and wrongful termination after reporting a hotel room intrusion he perceived as a sexual assault threat during Smith's tour. The lawsuit claims Smith's prior interactions with Joseph suggest predatory behavior, and seeks damages and injunctive relief. The case's outcome remains pending.
Northwestern University settled a $130 million wrongful termination lawsuit with former football coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired amid a hazing scandal. Fitzgerald denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had no knowledge of hazing and was unfairly dismissed. The university also stated that evidence did not support allegations of his involvement in hazing, and has since taken steps to improve athletic department culture.
Pat Fitzgerald, former Northwestern football coach, settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with the university over allegations of hazing, after initially being suspended and then dismissed following an investigation. Fitzgerald denied knowledge of hazing but acknowledged its occurrence, and the case was scheduled for trial before the settlement. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.
Pat Fitzgerald, former Northwestern football coach, reached a settlement with the university in his wrongful termination lawsuit related to hazing allegations in the football program. Fitzgerald maintained he was unaware of the hazing, which occurred without his knowledge, and the terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The university emphasized that Fitzgerald did not condone or direct hazing, and Fitzgerald expressed a desire to return to coaching.
Ramzee Robinson, a former NFL player and Chiefs employee, has filed a lawsuit alleging wrongful termination and racial discrimination, claiming he was unfairly dismissed after an incident and paid less than comparable employees, with accusations of discriminatory pay practices against Black employees.
A jury has ordered Walmart to pay nearly $35 million to former truck driver Jesus Fonseca, who was wrongfully terminated after being falsely accused of workers' compensation fraud. Fonseca, who was injured in a work-related accident, was awarded $25 million in punitive damages and $9.7 million for future non-economic losses. The jury found that Walmart violated its integrity policy and failed to accommodate Fonseca's medical restrictions, leading to his termination. The verdict highlights the need for companies to handle employee integrity issues with care and honesty.
Former Meta engineer Ferras Hamad has filed a lawsuit against the company for wrongful termination, alleging he was discriminated against due to his Palestinian-American heritage and Muslim faith. Hamad claims he was fired after raising concerns about the suppression of pro-Palestinian content on Instagram, despite being told by Meta's security team that he did not violate any company policies. Meta asserts that Hamad was dismissed for violating data access policies.
Kanye West is accusing his former personal assistant, Lauren Pisciotta, of blackmail and extortion after she filed a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment. Pisciotta claims she was subjected to explicit texts, pornographic materials, and inappropriate behavior before being wrongfully terminated. West's representative denies the allegations, stating Pisciotta was fired for being unqualified and making unreasonable demands. Pisciotta is seeking compensation for wrongful termination, fraud, unpaid wages, and emotional distress.