Plaintiff Jessica Hoglund filed a complaint against her employer, Sierra Nevada Memorial-Miners Hospital, and her supervisor, Rhonda Horne, alleging age discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination. The case was filed in the Superior Court of Nevada County on June 12, 2018.
Hoglund's tenure at the hospital began in 2004 as a phlebotomist trainee. By February 2011, she had become the sole laboratory supervisor at age 56. Her working relationship took a downturn when Horne was hired as the director of clinical operations in May 2011. Horne, six years younger than Hoglund, allegedly made derogatory comments about Hoglund’s age and appearance during their frequent one-on-one meetings. Statements like “you look sloppy,” “old-fashioned,” and questions about retirement plans were common. Horne’s actions included moving lab equipment into Hoglund’s office to displace her workspace and making remarks about hiring younger staff because they are "easier to train."
Despite reporting these issues to human resources multiple times between 2013 and 2015, Hoglund felt no significant action was taken to address her complaints. Instead, she experienced increased workload without additional support and continued derogatory comments from Horne. By mid-2015, after returning from a leave of absence due to stress-related health issues exacerbated by Horne's treatment, Hoglund found herself further marginalized with her workspace moved to an inadequate storage closet.
In June 2017, amid a downsizing decision related to the sale of outreach stations managed by the hospital, it was decided that only one lab supervisor position would remain. Despite having more experience than Prout (a younger employee who had been promoted to co-supervisor), Hoglund was terminated on July 7, 2017. The decision-makers cited Prout’s supposed superior computer skills—a claim contested by evidence showing that Hoglund had been denied training opportunities.
Following her termination, Hoglund faced significant emotional distress compounded by a lung cancer diagnosis in August 2017. She filed an administrative complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) on February 9, 2018.
The trial court ruled in favor of Hoglund on claims of age discrimination, harassment, and wrongful discharge but found for the hospital on an unpaid overtime claim. The court awarded her $1,431,800 in damages—$881,800 for economic losses and $550,000 for emotional distress—along with $958,297 in attorney fees and $57,333 in costs.
Defendants appealed the verdict citing insufficient evidence supporting the claims and excessive damages among other objections; however; Justices Krause, Earl and Wiseman all concur their arguments were dismissed based on substantial evidence presented during trial affirming discriminatory animus from Horne towards Hoglund based on age.
The attorneys involved include Karen M. Goodman representing Jessica Hoglund from Goodman Law along with C. Athena Roussos; Catherine M. Lee; Mae G. Alberto; Rex Darrell Berry representing Sierra Nevada Memorial-Miners Hospital from Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo law firm; Judges Thomas M Anderson & S Robert Tice-Raskin presided over this case identified as C097065 CU18-083045