T.J. Simers, a well-known columnist for the Los Angeles Times, found himself at the center of a contentious legal battle after he was demoted from his position in August 2013.
Claiming that his demotion was both a result of age and disability discrimination, Simers filed a lawsuit against his former employer under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). This lawsuit evolved into a protracted legal struggle involving three distinct jury trials, each focusing on different aspects of Simers’ claims and the corresponding damages.
In the first jury trial, Simers found favor with the jury, which awarded him over $7 million for economic and noneconomic damages. This verdict, however, was partially overturned by the trial court, leading to multiple appeals and a directive for subsequent trials to reassess damages linked specifically to Simers’ demotion.
The second trial ended with a jury awarding Simers $15.4 million in noneconomic damages. Nevertheless, this outcome was contested due to alleged misconduct by Simers’ legal team during closing arguments and the perceived excessive nature of the damages awarded. Consequently, a third trial was ordered, which considerably narrowed the scope to only address the noneconomic damages Simers could recover for his demotion.
During this third and final jury trial, the amount of damages considered appropriate was hotly debated. Simers’ attorneys argued for a verdict between $30 and $50 million, suggesting a significant valuation of the discrimination and its impact on Simers. In contrast, defense attorneys recommended a much lower figure, between $500,000 and $1 million, highlighting a stark difference in the perceived impact of the alleged discrimination. The jury ultimately decided on $1.25 million, an amount that precisely matched an earlier settlement offer made by The Times.
This final verdict reflects a significant reduction from the initial awards, indicating a judicial recognition of the overestimations presented throughout the litigation process.