A jury sided with a whistleblower in a lawsuit against Corona (Calif.) Regional Medical Center, upholding the former employee's claim that he was fired for making complaints about unsafe healthcare conditions and wage violations at Corona, according to a Press-Enterprise report.
Allen Jaffe, a former respiratory therapist at the hospital, claimed he was fired in November 2008 for filing a complaint to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration about concerns over contamination issues and medication administration.
Mr. Jaffe also claimed he was denied meal breaks and worked 12-hour shifts, whereas California law requires at least 30 minutes for a meal break for every hourly employee working five or more hours, according to the report.
A jury awarded Mr. Jaffe $514,000 in awards. A spokesperson for the hospital said it intends to appeal the verdict, according to the report.
Corona is owned by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services.
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Allen Jaffe, a former respiratory therapist at the hospital, claimed he was fired in November 2008 for filing a complaint to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration about concerns over contamination issues and medication administration.
Mr. Jaffe also claimed he was denied meal breaks and worked 12-hour shifts, whereas California law requires at least 30 minutes for a meal break for every hourly employee working five or more hours, according to the report.
A jury awarded Mr. Jaffe $514,000 in awards. A spokesperson for the hospital said it intends to appeal the verdict, according to the report.
Corona is owned by King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services.
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