Shephard v. CrossCountry Mtge., Inc.

Citations

• 2025 Ohio 1929

Syllabus

Jury trial; age discrimination; McDonnell Douglas analysis; motion for directed verdict; motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (\JNOV\); R.C. 4112.14(A); prima facie case; legitimate nondiscriminatory reason; pretextual; punitive damages; actual malice; motion for new trial; Civ.R. 59(A); abuse of discretion; Civ.R. 49(B); jury interrogatories; jury verdict; jury confusion and irregularities; Evid.R. 408; severance agreement; failure to object. Appellant appeals trial court's judgments entries journalizing jury verdicts and the denial of various motions and evidentiary rulings by the trial court throughout the ten-day jury discrimination trial against its ex-employee appellee. On review, we find the trial court properly denied appellant's motions for directed verdict and motion for JNOV as to appellee's claims for discrimination and for punitive damages. The case properly went to the jury who found discrimination and awarded punitive damages. The trial court also did not abuse its discretion in making evidentiary rulings against appellant or in denying appellant's several motions for a new trial. The trial court properly resolved the jury's confusion regarding the multiple interrogatories and general verdict forms.