Metal Traders prevails in discrimination lawsuit after eight days of trial

Client(s) Metal Traders, Inc.

After eight days of trial, over a three-week period, a federal court jury returned a verdict in favor of our client, Metal Traders, Inc. in an employment discrimination lawsuit in which the plaintiff alleged that he had been terminated because of his age and because he was perceived as being disabled. The jury deliberated very briefly before reaching its verdict which fully vindicated the defendant. The plaintiff, a former warehouse manager for a steel wholesale supplier, asserted violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. The plaintiff also contended that the Company breached a contractual obligation to provide him an ownership interest in the Company. The plaintiff's claims also included claims for emotional distress, as well as, liquidated and punitive damages. Ultimately, the Court struck ownership as a potential element of damages, thereby eviscerating the majority of plaintiff's damages claim. At trial, the Court also agreed with the Jones Day trial team that recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act, which would have lessened the plaintiff's burden of proof if applicable, were not retroactive and did not apply to the plaintiff's disability discrimination claims. The remaining claims were presented to the eight member jury who returned a verdict in favor of Metal Traders as to all of those claims. Plaintiff's motion for a new trial was denied.

Borrelli v. Metal Traders, Inc., d/b/a Triad Metals International, 06-CV-869 (W.D. Pa.)