Simers awarded $7.1 mil

[AngelsLongBall]

I don't know if it can be appealed, but financial hits like this is something the LA Times or any newspaper can ill afford to take these days.  So many newspapers are disappearing.  As the population ages the customers for paper news continues to decline, there are so many other more efficient ways of getting news or reading opinions.

That's why I was asking.  That will hit the Times beyond what their insurance will cover, and will likely result in further cuts to the budget.  Simers is a giant POS. 

[Homebrewer]

Blarg (notti) is causing me emotional distress.

[wopphil]

Can this be appealed?

Yes, but it is highly unlikely the verdict will be overturned.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Fire him Chuck, I saw him sitting next to Josh Hamilton once, that's a conflict of interest.

was that hamilton? Dang...all this time i thought dave just had dandruff on his shirt....now it makes sense

[DowningRules]

Yes, but it is highly unlikely the verdict will be overturned.

 

And you know that Simers' attorneys prob. got attorneys' fees too.  Random guess says those fees will "add up" to about $150K.

[Slegnaac]

Yes, but it is highly unlikely the verdict will be overturned.

Any chance that the award gets modified?

[wopphil]

And you know that Simers' attorneys prob. got attorneys' fees too. Random guess says those fees will "add up" to about $150K.

He will get his fees, and I am guessing they will be close to $1,000,000.

[wopphil]

Any chance that the award gets modified?

There has to be grounds for doing so, and I am not familiar enough with the case to know whether there are such grounds. But just looking at the damages numbers, and because no punitive damages were awarded, I would say there probably are not grounds for reducing the amount of the verdict.

[Blarg]

Blarg (notti) is causing me emotional distress.

It's not my fault you're a displaced Cubs fan lashing out on 70 years of frustration involving a goat.

[notherhalo]

Wow, I didnt think I could have possibly disliked the guy more AFTER he quit

[AngelsLongBall]

Update:

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-judge-voids-ex-columnist-7-million-jury-verdict-20160105-story.html

 

Voided by a judge. 

[Angel Oracle]

That judge is a hero!

[Tank]

a salary of $234k for a columnist? wow.

[AngelsLongBall]

a salary of $234k for a columnist hack? wow.

Fixed that for you

[wopphil]

I am very surprised by this. It is rare a judge does this.

[AngelsLongBall]

I am very surprised by this. It is rare a judge does this.

In reading the article, it appears he voided the award because it didn't meet constructive termination.  Judge did say it would retry for discrimination, for which he found evidence

[wopphil]

In reading the article, it appears he voided the award because it didn't meet constructive termination. Judge did say it would retry for discrimination, for which he found evidence

That was also my understanding from my cursory reading of the article.

From the little I know of the case, it seems the constructive termination claim was complete shit. But they usually are, because they are brought by people who quit their jobs then look for a reason to sue.

[Angelfaninidaho]

Simers and Plaschke are the reason I moved from So Cal.  Sorta..

[AngelsLakersFan]

“While it may be a difficult experience to be criticized and demoted, an employee’s embarrassment and hurt feelings do not transform a resignation into a constructive discharge.”

 

Beautiful. I love this judge. <3

[Dave Saltzer]

Even with what he made with the O. C Register, Chuck, about my salary. . . ?

[ELEVEN]

You're working for Chuck Change.

[T.G.]

He made some nice bank just for being a jerk...

[floplag]

lolololololololololololol   the legal system strikes again!
cant wait till some mass murderer gets 20 mil for emotional distress caused by this third grade teacher that made him what he is and we imprison the teacher instead. 

[ettin]

The crazy part is that the LA Times was paying him $234,000 to write a column three times a week!!!! WTF! And guess what? When he went over to the Orange County Register they paid him $190,000 for the same damn thing!!!!

I am in the wrong ****ing business! (sorry for the bad word but I'm stunned)

Who in their right mind would pay such a crap columnist that much money? No wonder print is dying.

Also I'll be speaking to Chuck about payments for my Primer series now!

Re-reading this I think Chuck will likely counter-sue me for non-completion of assignment! (Primer Series)

Sorry Chuck (and everyone) I've been incredibly busy with a new promotion at work and family visiting over the Holidays. Completing the Primer Series has been a real challenge not to mention that Arte, so far, has blown my whole premise out of the water.

[Stradling]

Yes, but it is highly unlikely the verdict will be overturned.

Some lawyer you are.