Hawkins
v.
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, et al.
Defendants appeal from the judgment entered on a jury verdict for plaintiff in his action alleging he was discharged from his employment in violation of the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Defendants contend: (1) the district court erred by refusing to instruct the jury that it must find for defendants if the evidence showed defendants would have made the same decision to discharge plaintiff regardless of his age, cancer status, and protected activity; (2) the jury instructions improperly permitted the jury to award emotional distress damages for any perceived “wrongdoing,” including harm associated with practices barred by the statute of limitations; (3) the $4.28 million award for emotional distress is excessive; (4) the district court erred in admitting hearsay and other prejudicial evidence; and (5) plaintiff’s improper “golden rule” closing argument provoked the jury to award damages on an emotional basis.
Appellee
Hawkins
Appellant
Grinnell Regional Medical Center, et al.
Attorneys for the Appellee
Nathan Borland
Brooke Timmer
Katie Ervin Carlson
Attorneys for the Appellant
Mary E. Funk
Randall D. Armentrout
Debra Hulett
David Bower
Supreme Court
Oral Argument Schedule
15-15-5
Feb 12, 2019 9:00 AM
