Stephenson v. Raskas Dairy, Inc.

SHERRI B. SULLIVAN, Judge.

Raskas Dairy, Inc. (Appellant) appeals from a jury verdict in favor of Ethel Stephenson (Respondent) awarding her $360,000 in compensatory damages and $240,000 in punitive damages for her retaliatory discharge claim against Appellant, her former employer. We reverse.

Appellant is a dairy business, primarily engaged in the production and packaging of cream cheese products. Respondent was employed by Appellant from March 8, 1968 until January 21, 1996, when she was laid off. Pursuant to her union contract, her employment was terminated three years later, on January 21,…