A Diagnostic & Imaging Week

A jury has found in favor of a former employee in his wrongful termination case against Del Global Technologies (Franklin Park, Illinois), awarding him a total of about $2.2 million.

Jeffrey Moeller, a former employee of Del Medical, initiated an action in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, against the company and its former president, Walter Schneider in June 2002, seeking $2.37 million in damages.

Moeller alleged four claims in the action: retaliatory discharge from employment with Del Medical, defamation, intentional interference with his employment relationship with Del Medical and prospective employers, and to hold the company liable for any misconduct of Del Medical under a theory of "piercing the corporate veil."

In September 2006, the court dismissed the part of Moeller's claim of intentional interference as alleged interference with his relationship with prospective employers.

The trial date was postponed on various occasions at plaintiff's request and was finally rescheduled for April 7.

On April 17, the circuit court jury returned a verdict in favor of Moeller for $1.8 million for lost earnings, back pay, front pay and benefits on the retaliatory discharge claim, and for $200,000 for emotional distress/reputation damages and $200,000 in punitive damages on the defamation claim.

The company said it is assessing the probable loss if the jury verdict is not overturned, and any increase in liability will be recorded as a charge to the company's earnings for 3Q08.

"Obviously we are extremely disappointed with this verdict; however we continue to believe that Del Medical committed no wrongdoing in releasing Mr. Moeller," said James Risher, CEO of Del Global. "Furthermore we intend to vigorously pursue available post-trial remedies, including appeal."

Del Global makes medical and dental imaging systems, and power conversion subsystems and components.