California Jury Awards $105M in Workplace Harassment Retaliation Case
A San Diego jury awarded $105 million to an employee over harassment retaliation.
Why it matters: Large verdicts like this signal increased legal and reputational risks for employers. They underscore the need for stronger workplace compliance and HR policies to prevent harassment and retaliation.
- Jury awarded $105 million on May 12, 2026, to a former Acadia Healthcare employee.
- Plaintiff was terminated in October 2023 after reporting unsafe environment and sexual harassment.
- Jury found termination was retaliation for reporting workplace concerns.
- Similar large verdicts have occurred recently, including a $103 million age discrimination award in L.A.
On May 12, 2026, a San Diego jury delivered a landmark verdict awarding $105 million in damages to a former employee of Fashion Valley Comprehensive Treatment Center, part of Acadia Healthcare. The employee had been terminated in October 2023 after raising concerns about an unsafe work environment and sexual harassment affecting both herself and patients.
The jury found that her termination was retaliatory, a decision that highlights the legal risks companies face when failing to protect employees who report workplace misconduct. Acadia Healthcare stated that the Fashion Valley Comprehensive Treatment Center denied the allegations and asserted the termination was for legitimate reasons.
Attorney Justin Shegerian of Shegerian & Associates called the verdict "a resounding message to corporations nationwide," emphasizing that juries will hold employers accountable for illegal discrimination and retaliation. He also noted the "long, difficult road" to achieving vindication for the courageous plaintiff.
This verdict fits within a broader trend in California of substantial jury awards in employment disputes. For example, in December 2025, a Los Angeles jury awarded $103 million to a former Liberty Mutual employee in an age discrimination case. More recently, in April 2026, a Riverside County jury awarded $2.25 million to a sheriff’s department sergeant forced to resign after reporting harassment. These verdicts collectively signal greater scrutiny on workplace practices and a growing emphasis on employer accountability.
Legal and HR professionals should anticipate intensified demands for thorough compliance programs and proactive harassment prevention policies to mitigate such risks going forward.
By the numbers:
- $105 million — damages awarded in May 2026 workplace retaliation case
- October 2023 — date plaintiff was terminated after reporting harassment
- $103 million — prior large age discrimination verdict in Los Angeles, December 2025